Drivers have faced a tough start to their Sunday morning as road closures on the a major motorway near Liverpool have caused delays.
Drivers have been warned that the M53 in Cheshire is closed southbound between Junction 9 and Junction 11 as overnight roadworks discovered an infrastructure defect.
The exits between Ellesmere Port and the M56 will remain closed until at least tomorrow as National Highways works on repairs.
Due to the incident drivers are being diverted away from the stretch of road and are advised to follow the diverted routes which have been clearly signposted.
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There are numerous types of defects that can form on roads including deep potholes, shallow potholes, surface deterioration, edge failure, cracking, rutting and subsidence, although National Highways has not stated what the repair is for.
Drivers are being told to exit the M53 southbound at junction nine (Ellesmere Port) and join the A5032 Station Road southbound.
From there they should continue southbound, passing through Ellesmere Port until Strawberry Roundabout with the A5117 at Beckford Cross.
Here, traffic can then take different route options, either continue onward to re-join the M53 southbound at J12 in which drivers should continue straight over Strawberry Roundabout and continue on Whitby Lane. At the junction with the A41 Liverpool Road, drivers should turn left and join the A41 southbound.
An alternative route is to continue on the A41 southbound towards Chester until they reach the Hoole Roundabout with the A56.
From there they can turn left onto the A56 Warrington Road and continue a short distance to then re-join the M53 southbound.
For traffic wishing to join the M56 eastbound, drivers are being advised to turn left at Strawberry Roundabout and join the A5117 Strawberry Way eastbound.
Continue until the M53 J10 roundabout and join the M53 southbound and then merge onto the M56 eastbound to go on with the journey.
National Highways said: “If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time.
“Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.
“Further information is available from National Highways by visiting our website and travel apps, or via our regional X feed.
“Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up-to-the-minute information on 0300 123 5000.”
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