DRIVERS using the M56 between junctions five and six Manchester Airport, near Altrincham, are reminded that both the westbound and eastbound carriageways will be closed overnight on Saturday and Sunday this weekend.

The closures are part of ongoing works to add an extra lane to the motorway to tackle congestion.

The westbound carriageway will be closed at junction five from 10pm on Saturday, November 22 and will reopen by 3am on Sunday, November 23.

Drivers needing to access the airport can do so as normal at junction five, but those heading further afield towards North Wales will need to use the M60, M62 and M6 to re-join the M6 at junction nine at Lymm.

The eastbound carriageway towards Manchester will be closed at junction six from 10pm on Sunday, November 23 until 3am on Monday, November 24.

Travellers heading towards Manchester Airport will need to take a short diversion from junction six as the normal access from junction five will be closed.

Manchester Airport is advising customers to leave enough time to get there in case of delays.

Drivers seeking to travel beyond junction six towards Manchester will need to leave the M56 at junction 9 at Lymm and use the M6, M62 and M60 instead.

The closures are being made to safely remove narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit, implemented in the summer as part of a £5.5 million bridge replacement scheme.

The new bridge will be installed in February, for more information on the project and this weekend’s work visit highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/m56-thorley-lane-scheme