Hard shoulder works begin on eastbound M62 between Rochdale and Milnrow

Work is due to start this week on parts of the hard shoulder on a seven-mile stretch of the M62

Work to toughen up the hard shoulder on the eastbound M62 between junctions 20 and 21 is starting this week (Monday 15 June) as part of plans to tackle congestion and cut journey times for drivers.

Highways England is carrying out strengthening work on parts of the hard shoulder on a seven-mile stretch of the M62 so it can be used as a temporary lane by tens of thousands of drivers during a major motorway upgrade next year.

Temporary narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit will be introduced on the eastbound carriageway between junction 20 (Rochdale) and just past junction 21 (Milnrow) from tonight (Monday 15 June).

Lane or full carriageway closures will also be needed, between 10pm and 6am, during most nights for the next two weeks, with a diversion in place when the eastbound carriageway is closed.

The work is part of the ongoing smart motorway upgrades between junctions 20 to 25, which are being constructed by Highways England as part of a £100 million investment.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/126084/motorway-upgrades-set-to-improve-drivers-journeys

Arun Sahni, project manager at Highways England, said: “We need to carry out strengthening work over the next couple of weeks to make sure the hard shoulder is able to carry high volumes of traffic during a major upgrade of the motorway next year.

“We’re carrying out the work overnight when traffic levels are much lower and will be keeping three lanes open in each direction during the day.

“Our contractors will be following strict Public Health England safeguarding measures and we’d also urge drivers to stick to the speed limit for their own and our road workers’ safety."

The main construction work for a major project to add extra lanes and new technology to a 19-mile stretch of the M62 between Rochdale (junction 20) and Brighouse (junction 25) is due to start next year.

Preliminary work has already been taking place along the route including moving utility pipes, vegetation clearance and hard shoulder strengthening.