M6 closing for work to remove gantry

A stretch of the M6 will be closed overnight on Saturday for an eyesore gantry to be pulled down following complaints from nearby residents.

Once the towering gantry has been removed the hard shoulder can be fully opened up at peak times on the M6 southbound between junctions 10a Essington and junction 10 in Walsall.

The structure will be taken down from 10pm on Saturday to 9am on Sunday and will mean the closure of the carriageway between junctions 11 at Cannock and 10.

The £150 million managed motorways scheme, which is already being hailed a big success, will then be complete and finally be operational between junctions 8 to 10A after two years of preparations.

The gantry at the Bentley Lane bridge is being taken down after a long campaign by residents on the Beechdale estate in Walsall.

They complained that it was a blight on the landscape, with its bright lights likely to keep them awake.

Paul Unwin, Highways Agency project manager, said: "The M6 southbound, including the M54 southbound link, will be closed overnight this weekend to ensure the safety of road users and provide a safe working area for our workforce while they remove the gantry over the motorway.

"Drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys and follow the clearly signed diversion route.

"The gantry in front of Bentley Lane bridge is being removed following a consultation with local residents.

"New, smaller and lower signing will be installed on the verge at the same location to advise road users of junction 10 ahead.

"We plan to carry out this work during the week commencing April 4."

The managed motorway scheme was officially launched on March 22 and bosses at the Highways Agency today said opening up the hard shoulder was already having an impact on journey times.

The stretch of motorway is used by 160,000 drivers every day.