Manchester Airport passengers travelling from October 12 should expect disruption on the M6 as planned road restrictions come into force. A 40mph contraflow around junctions 20 and 21 at Thelwall Viaduct is being introduced, affecting routes to the airport that use the viaduct, including some journeys connecting with the M56.
Roadworks details and timeline
The restrictions are in place while bridge joints are replaced on the Thelwall Viaduct, which carries the M6 over the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey. During the daytime, four lanes of traffic will be maintained in both directions with a 40mph speed restriction on both carriageways. One lane of northbound traffic will run on the southbound carriageway.
Overnight, from 10pm to 5am, further restrictions apply with the northbound carriageway limited to one lane. The southbound carriageway will keep four lanes. Junction 21 northbound exit slip will remain open at all times during this phase, which is expected to last until spring 2027, according to National Highways.
Other airports affected
Travellers from other UK airports also face roadworks. Heathrow passengers could be impacted by the M25 anticlockwise closure at junction 15, between the M4 slip roads, from 8pm on October 17 to 10am on October 18, and from 8pm on October 24 to 10am on October 25.
Birmingham Airport journeys may be affected by M42 closures due to HS2, from junctions 6 to 9 northbound and 9 to 7 southbound, from 9pm on Friday October 23 to 5am on Monday October 26, alongside connecting M6 and M6 toll restrictions.
Further disruption across the country
Gatwick passengers could face lighting works on the A23 London Road and Airport Way slip roads, with overnight closures from 9pm to 4am for the Airport Way eastbound entry slip from London Road until October 9, and the London Road westbound exit slip closing overnight from October 12 to November 13.
At London Luton, southbound closures between junctions 9 and 8 are scheduled on weeknights, ending at 5am on October 9, with a further programme from October 12 to November 5 starting at 10pm. Belfast International Airport has resurfacing works between Killead Roundabout and Airport Roundabout, with overnight closures on October 5 to 9, 12 to 16, and 19 to 23, from 7pm to 6am, followed by daytime lane restrictions on October 26 to 30 from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
