New concrete barriers on M61

Work starts next month on an £814,000 Highways Agency project to replace steel barriers with concrete along a strech of the M61 near Bolton in Greater Manchester.

The work will be carried out on a 500 yard section in the central reservation of the motorway between Junction 4 at Farnworth and Junction 5 at Westhoughton.

Installation will start on site on Monday 13 August and should be completed by Friday 5 October.

The Highways Agency said concrete barriers are stronger and more robust than steel barriers - reducing the risk of vehicles involved in accidents crossing from one side of the motorway to the other.

The barriers are also unlikely to require repairs after vehicle impact.

The steel safety barriers in the hard shoulder verge will also be replaced by new steel barriers.

Highways Agency project sponsor Peter Gee said, "Providing a concrete barrier along this section of the M61 will make the motorway even safer for drivers.

"Concrete barriers also require less maintenance so this scheme will also provide more reliable journeys for motorways users by reducing the need for lane and carriageway closures for repairs."