THERE are due to be six months of overnight lane closures on the M60 at Prestwich and Whitefield, Highways England have announced.

Lane closures will be in place on the motorway between Junctions 17 and 18 while lighting column improvements are carried out.

Slip roads are also expected to be shut to motorists, with diversions put in place.

Letters have been distributed to residents living in the area to notify them of the works, which are planned for between 9pm and 5am each night.

They read: "The work will take place within the central reservation and verges on both sides of the carriageway.

"When complete visibility will be improved making journeys safer for motorists."

Ahead of the lighting improvement works, Highways England is preparing the site by clearing vegetation and carrying out electrical cabling work.

This preparatory work has already begun and is due to continue until December 20, between 9pm and 5am, Monday to Friday.

Work to update the lighting is expected to start on January 6 next year.

These developments, which involve lane closures, are again due to take place between 9pm and 5am.

Highways England writes: "For safety purposes, lane closures are required on the M60 between junctions 17 and 18 throughout.

"Associated slip road closures will also be required, and localised signed diversion routes will be in place."

A spokesperson for Highways England said:

“We're upgrading the lights on the M60 near Bury to improve visibility for drivers. All the work will take place overnight, when traffic levels are much lower, to minimise disruption as much as possible.”