SECTIONS of the M60 in Trafford will be closed overnight during July, while work takes place to demolish overhead gantries as part of the smart motorway scheme.

Highways England are removing the 100 tonnes gantries as they are not suitable for the new electronic signs that are being installed as part of the £202 million project.

The anticlockwise side of the M60 will be closed overnight from junction 13 at Worsley to junction 12 at the M62/M602 interchange on Friday, July 3.

On Saturday, July 4, the clockwise side of the M60 will be closed overnight between junction 10 at Trafford Park and junction 12 at the M62/M602 interchange, along with the anticlockwise side between junction 12 and junction 11 at Irlam.

On Saturday, July 11, the M60 will be closed overnight in both directions between junction 12 at the M62/M602 interchange and junction 13 at Worsley.

The clockwise side of the M60 between junctions nine and 10 near Trafford Park will be closed overnight on Saturday, July 18, along with the anticlockwise side between junction 12 at the M62/M602 interchange and junction 10.

The eastbound link roads from the M62 onto both sides of the M60 will also be closed during all three Saturday nights. Drivers will be able to follow signed diversion routes when sections of the motorway are closed.

When the smart motorway scheme is completed in autumn 2017, around 200 new electronic message signs on overhead gantries will warn drivers of changes in the mandatory speed limit, lane closures and incidents ahead.

The smart motorway scheme between junction eight of the M60 near Sale and junction 20 of the M62 near Rochdale will monitor traffic levels and keep vehicles moving by using variable speed limits.

The hard shoulder will also be permanently converted into an extra lane to increase capacity between junctions 18 and 20 on the M62.

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