The Highways Agency has announced travellers in Cheshire are soon to benefit from a new, expanded link between the M6 and M56 that will both streamline journeys and bring a considerable economic benefit to the area in the years ahead.

Getting underway in the coming weeks, this will be a £191.9 million project to widen a five-mile stretch of the A556 between the two motorways to dual carriageway in both directions, with the route running from junction 7 of the M56 near Bowdon before branching off to avoid the villages of Bucklow Hill, Mere and Over Tabley, and finally joining the M6 at junction 19, near Knutsford.

The first phase of the project is now set to involve several closures for the A556 between Bucklow Hill and Bowdon, as contractors begin the lengthy task of diverting gas, water and electricity supplies, as well as carrying out ecological surveys and installing new fencing.

A temporary 40 mph speed limit will be enforced for all travellers in the area for the duration of the project, with an initial target date for completion of the expansion works as a whole set for winter 2016-17.

Divisional director at the Highways Agency Jeremy Bloom commented: "The new dual carriageway, being provided as part of government's commitment to invest £24 billion in roads by 2021, will provide a direct link between the M56 and the M6, reducing congestion and allowing for faster, more reliable journey times.

"This cuts costs and improves productivity for businesses and commuters. I'm confident that in two years' time when the new road opens, everybody who uses the A556 will appreciate the massive difference this improvement makes."

He added that with 50,000 vehicles utilising this stretch of the A556 every day at present, the expansion of the carriageway will deliver considerable long-term benefits both to road users and the local economy through improved connectivity.