ROADWORKS and speed restrictions on the M65 between Padiham and Nelson will be removed over the coming week.

The restrictions and roadworks are due to be removed on the westbound side of the motorway overnight on today.

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This side of the M65 from Junction 10 to Junction 13 will be closed from 8pm until 5am on Saturday morning.

Weather permitting, the restrictions and roadworks on the eastbound side are due to be taken off overnight on Thursday next week (5 May).

This side of the road will be shut from J10 to J13, being closed from 8pm until 5am on Friday morning.

Signed diversions will be in place during the closures.

Work has been taking place since July 2015 to upgrade safety barriers on the central reservation and next to the hard shoulder between junctions 10 and 14.

The works were to reduce the risk of accidents where vehicles crash through the barriers into oncoming traffic on the opposite side of the motorway.

A 50 mph speed limit has been in place from junctions 10 to 13 for workers’ and road users’ safety.

The removal of the restrictions and roadworks on the westbound side of the motorway had been planned for last night (Thursday 28 April) but was delayed a day due to a forecast for snow.

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Mike Damms said: “This is good news for businesses and motorists.

“To be frank, this work was much-needed and had to be done sometime.

Traffic on this section has flowed relatively smoothly during these road works but it's good they are finally coming off.”

Lancashire County Council highways manager David Johnnie said: “We’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we’ve carried out this vital maintenance over recent months.

“It has taken a little longer than originally expected as we have encountered difficult ground conditions, which has meant doing extra work to ensure the new barriers can be properly secured.

“We’re now ready to remove the roadworks and speed restrictions, which will be done overnight to minimise disruption.

“There are still some minor work to be done, but this will be managed using localised lane closuresand concentrated on slip roads at junctions.”

Drainage improvements and make repairs to the road surface and fencing have been made during the wider roadworks.