M56

National Highways are carrying out overnight works on both sides of the M56 carriageway throughout December 2023 and January 2024. This will include a mix of full closures, slip entry and exit closures, and lane closures. Signed diversions will be in place. Please allow more time for your journey if you are travelling to/ from Manchester Airport via the M56, especially on the following dates -

DECEMBER 2023

• Sunday 3rd December 2023, 21:00 – 05:00

M56 Junction 6 Westbound, overnight slip closures (exit and entry).

• Friday 8th December 2023, 21:00 – 05:00

M56 Junction 5 Westbound to A555 Manchester Airport, overnight slip closure.

Diversion route:- Traffic heading to Manchester Airport will be diverted to Junction 6 Westbound, and back onto the M56 at Junction 6 Eastbound. Traffic will leave the M56 at Junction 5 Eastbound. Please be aware of lane closures on the Eastbound carriageway.

• Monday 11th – Tuesday 12th December 2023, 21:00 – 05:00

M56 Junction 7-5 Eastbound, full overnight closure.

Please follow signed diversion route.

• Wednesday 13th – Friday 15th December 2023, 21:00 – 05:00

M56 Junction 7-5 Westbound, full overnight closure.

Please follow signed diversion route.

• Saturday 16th December 2023, 21:00 – 05:00

M56 Junction 7-9 Eastbound, full overnight closure.

Please follow signed diversion route.

JANUARY 2024

• Tuesday 9th January 2024, 21:00 – 05:00

M56 Junction 6 Eastbound, overnight slip closure.

Check for any closures or congestion on Traffic England latest travel information before you travel.

TRAVELLING BY RAIL - INDUSTRIAL ACTION ON THE RAIL NETWORK

Industrial action has been announced on the rail network between Saturday 2nd December and Friday 8th December 2023. Disruption is expected across the rail network.

Please be aware no TransPennine Express and Northern Rail services will be operating on Friday 8th December, including services to/from Manchester Airport.

Transport for Wales is not involved in the industrial action, services will be running but are expected to be busier.

During the strike dates, no replacement transport will be provided, and rail tickets will not be accepted for use on Manchester Metrolink or on bus services.

Please allow more time for your journey or make alternative travel arrangements on the dates of the industrial action.

The following train operators will strike on:

• Saturday 2nd December – East Midlands Railway and LNER

• Sunday 3rd December – Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railway, Great Northern, London Northwestern Railway, Thameslink, and West Midlands Railway

• Tuesday 5th December – c2c, and Great Anglia

• Wednesday 6th December – Gatwick Express, South Western Railway, Southeastern, and Southern

• Thursday 7th December – Cross Country, Great Western Railway, and Heathrow Express

• Friday 8th December – Northern and TransPennine Express

Additional to this, disruption is expected for Friday 1st December – Saturday 9th December. Services could be altered and/ or cancelled at the last minute. Advice for passengers is to check the status of their service before arriving at the station and to expect disruption.

For more information visit National Rail.