WORK on a £4.1million contact to improve the M66 between Edenfield and the M60 starts on Monday.

Essential resurfacing and bridge refurbishment work is expected to take until September.

The programme has been carefully planned to minimise disruption to motorists on the busy route into Manchester from East Lancashire.

The work will be carried out between the junction with the A56 at Edenfield - and Junction 4 where the M66 links with the M60.

In addition to the resurfacing and bridgeworks, fencing and drainage work will also be carried out. The special 'low noise' surface which will be used in the resurfacing, will reduce traffic noise by the equivalent of a halving of the traffic flow, which will make the motorway less intrusive for nearby residents

The resurfacing work will be carried out using contraflow systems with narrow lanes, and with some overnight lane closures. Occasional overnight closures of entry and exit slip roads at Junction 2 at Bury will also be necessary at times, with diversions via Junction 3 at Pilsworth.

A 50 mph speed limit will be in force throughout the road works for the safety of motorists and contractors, enforced by highly-visible safety cameras.

Highways Agency project manager Freda Rashdi said: "This is a very busy section of motorway and the work is necessary to keep the M66 up to the highest in safety and maintenance standards.

"The work has been carefully planned to minimise disruption but there will inevitably be delays and motorists are asked to allow extra time for their journeys.

"Motorists are urged to adhere to the speed limit which is there for their own safety and for the safety of the workforce."