The M6 motorway has been closed for a second straight weekend to complete machine moving tasks and ensure structural work can be completed safely and efficiently.

The closure, as part of planned works to improve the motorway at Junction 19 near Knutsford extended to Junction 19 at Holmes Chapel and Junction 20 at Lymm.

The reason for this is to build a new bridge across the centre of the roundabout at Junction 19 and to lift the bridge beams into position, the motorway had to be completely closed at the junction.

A diversion using both the entry and exit slip roads was set up to ensure that the rest of the motorway was not disrupted, and a further alternate diversion route was set up along the A50, although this was not the first choice.

Initially, the diversion was set to use the A49, however because of flooding that affecting much of the north-west, the diversion was instead moved to the A50 at the last minute as an emergency measure.

The A49 was underwater as a result of the River Weaver bursting its banks near Acton Swing Bridge.

To make matters worse, the A50 then needed emergency roadworks itself due to a burst water main, which served to make a congested road even busier.

After this second weekend of closures, no further road closures are expected for the remainder of the construction, which is set to finish at the end of Summer 2021.