PARTS of a motorway will be closed over the next two weekends during roadworks.

Highways England engineers are set to resurface and waterproof parts of the M66 and A56 near Ramsbottom.

From 10pm on Friday to 6am on Monday, Highways England will close a five-mile northbound stretch of the M66, which merges into the A56, from junction 1 at Ramsbottom up to the A56 junctions with the A682 in Rawtenstall and Manchester Road in Rossendale.

From 10pm on August 7 to 6am on August 10, the organisation will close the same section of road but on the southbound side.

There will be a temporary 'no waiting' restriction along Market Street in Edenfield from the junction with East Street to the A676 Bury Road to allow for the increase is traffic being diverted along the route.

Short-stay parking will also be restricted but residents’ parking will be unaffected by the work.

Highways England project manager Louise Baxendale said: “The resurfacing and waterproofing is vital maintenance work, which will result in smoother and safer journeys for drivers.

“We need to close stretches of the A56 and M66 over the next two weekends to carry out this work and prevent problems with the bridge developing in the future.

“The scheme is taking place at weekends when the roads are generally quieter and drivers will be able to follow clearly-signed diversion routes.”