Motorists are being warned of several overnight closures set to take place on the M6 near Wigan over the next few weeks.
As part of its ongoing ‘Warrington to Wigan Upgrade’ project, National Highways has now released the latest dates for overnight closures on the M6 – which will begin early this week, and run over the next couple of weeks.
Having started back in March 2021, the upgrade project involves the Government-owned company adding new emergency areas and technology, and a lane in each direction to the motorway between junctions 21a and junction 26, as well as resurfacing all four lanes of the carriageway across sections of the route between Croft and Orrell interchanges.
These next closures will be put in place so that “complete resurfacing” work can be carried out.
Most daytime activities on the project have now been completed, according to National Highways, however, overnight work will still need to be carried out to continue the installing of gantry signs, other signs, and to resurface what will be the new lanes two and three of the motorway.
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Several overnight closures are planned on the M6 near Wigan for ‘complete resurfacing’ / Credit: Wikimedia Commons | National Highways
The overnight carriageway closures – which will be carried out from 9pm to 6am – are due to the size of the equipment required for the resurfacing.
The first closure will be put in place on the M6 northbound junction 23 to 26 this evening (8 July), with the final closure in the scheme being the M6 northbound junction 21a to 22 on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 July.
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The full list of closures are as follows:
M6 northbound junction 23 to 26 – closed tonight (Monday 8 July) and Wednesday 17 July
M6 southbound junction 26 to 23 – closed Tuesday 9 July
M6 southbound junction 23 to 22 – closed Wednesday 10 and Friday 12 July
M6 northbound junction 22 to 23 – closed Thursday 11 and Tuesday 16 July
M6 southbound junction 22 to 21a – closed Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 July
M6 northbound junction 21a to 22 – closed Thursday 18 and Friday 19 July
National Highways says the precise dates and times of the work may be subject to change due to “weather conditions” or “unforeseen circumstances”.
Clearly signed diversions will be in place overnight when a carriageway is closed.
More information, including details of the diversion routes, is available on the M6 upgrade project webpage here.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
News
Police ‘delighted’ after Manchester man is jailed for running county lines drug operation
Emily Sergeant
A Manchester man has been jailed for his part in running a county lines drug operation that exploited vulnerable people.
Following an investigation by Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) County Lines Team, John Joyce, of Stuart Street in Manchester, was identified as operating a county lines drugs network that supplied Class A drugs across Greater Manchester, and was subsequently jailed for possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
The investigation – which uncovered extensive evidence of drug supply – found that Joyce was the controller of the “CEE” line – a mobile number used to distribute crack cocaine and heroin.
Among that ‘extensive’ evidence was more than 31,000 text messages and 8,700 calls linked to drug dealing activity, and ‘flare’ messages advertising drugs for sale sent in bulk, as well as forensic analysis linking Joyce to two personal mobile numbers and vehicles used during the operation.
CCTV footage was also uncovered showing Joyce purchasing top-up vouchers for the drugs line.
#JAILED | Man sentenced to over 5 years in prison for running county lines drug operation
Our County Lines Team investigation uncovered extensive evidence of drug supply & found he was the controller of the “CEE” line, a mobile number used to distribute crack cocaine & heroin pic.twitter.com/WAdej9lLxU
And the final nail in the coffin was that a search of the 28-year-old’s Manchester apartment uncovered more than 460g of crack cocaine, heroin, drug paraphernalia, and cash.
Joyce fled the UK and headed to Dubai in an attempt to evade justice, but was arrested upon his return at Manchester Airport in October 2025.
“This case demonstrates our commitment to dismantling county lines networks that exploit vulnerable people and blight communities,” explained Detective Constable Josh Claxton, of GMP’s County Lines Team.
“Joyce’s operation was significant and his sentence reflects the harm caused by class A drug supply in Greater Manchester.
“He evaded justice for a long time, but now we are delighted to have locked him up so he can no longer cause damage to people’s lives.”
Joyce has been jailed for five years and three months after appearing at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court this week (Tuesday 16 December).
Featured Image – GMP
News
Popular bar chain The Alchemist to rewind back to 2010 with cocktails and dishes for £6 next month
Emily Sergeant
One of the UK’s most popular bar chains is celebrating its sweet 16th birthday next month by winding back to 2010.
Money is always tight in January, right?
Once Christmas is over with, and so is the festive feasting and drinking, many like to use the first month of the new year to lay low and save some money back up – which is why The Alchemist is launching a limited-edition ‘2010 Revival Menu’, bringing back some of its most iconic early cocktails and dishes – all at their original prices from 16 years ago.
For the whole month, you can enjoy the curated throwback selection starting from £6, which i perfectly timed for a month of saving without sacrificing going out.
The Alchemist is rewinding back to 2010 with cocktails and dishes for £6 / Credit: The Manc Group
The 2010 Revival Menu includes the return of the fan-favourite White Chocolate Raspberry Martini for £6 on the cocktail menu, which was an early Alchemist staple, alongside other fan-favourites like the Colour Changing One and Virgin Pornstar, both for £6 again.
When it comes to food dishes for £6, you can tuck into a selection of different refreshing salads, while stretching your budget up to £10 will get you things like Chicken in a Basket, a Cheeseburger, and Fish and Chips.
Other iconic Alchemist cocktails returning for a fraction of the price next month include the popular Smoky Old Fashioned, and Dead Read Zombie – both for £8.
The Alchemist opened its original bar in Manchester‘s swanky Spinningfields district all the way back in 2010, and quickly became a popular and stylish destination with its high ceilings and industrial features, and has since developed into a much larger chain – with not only more Manchester destinations, but others across the UK too.
Emily Sergeant -
8th July 2024 
