Motorway faces two-month closure programme

The road will be subject to a series of closures and restrictions during the work

Motorway maintenance work in Shropshire will include a series of closures lasting more than two months.

National Highways will resurface the carriageway and replace crash barriers on a bridge between junctions three (Cosford) and four (Telford services) on the M54.

It also aims to improve drainage between junctions six and seven at Wellington.

The programme starts on Friday and will last until late April.

National Highways, which manages motorways and some other main roads, is repairing the motorway bridge over Newport Road on the edge of Shifnal.

Both carriageways of the road will be shut at times during the work, with closures limited to weekends and overnight periods.

Diversions will be in place using the A5 and A41 for the work around Shifnal, and through the town centre in Wellington.

National Highways said: "The completed work will ensure that the M54 continues to provide a safe journey for all road users."

Full dates

• Friday 16 February at 21:00 GMT to Monday 19 February at 06:00 GMT - M54 eastbound full closure between junction four and junction three.

• Friday 23 February at 21:00 to Monday 26 February at 06:00 GMT - M54 westbound full closure between junction three and junction four.

• Friday 1 March at 21:00 GMT to Monday 4 March at 06:00 GMT - M54 eastbound full closure between junction four and junction three.

• Monday 4 March to Friday 15 March, 21:00 to 06:00 GMT, Monday to Friday - M54 westbound full closure between junction six and junction seven.

• Friday 8 March at 21:00 GMT to Monday 11 March at 06:00 GMT - M54 westbound full closure between junction three and junction four.

• Monday 11 March, 21:00 to 06:00 GMT - M54 westbound and eastbound full closure between junction three and junction four to install temporary safety barrier, with 24/7 lane closure and a 50mph temporary speed limit.

• Monday 18 March to Friday 29 March, 21:00 to 06:00 GMT, Monday to Friday (plus Tuesday 2 April and Wednesday 3 April) - M54 eastbound full closure between junction seven and junction six.

• Thursday 11 April, 21:00 to 06:00 BST - M54 westbound and eastbound full closure between junction three and junction four to remove lane closures and temporary safety barrier.

• Friday 12 April at 21:00 BST to Monday 15 April at 06:00 BST - M54 eastbound full closure between junction four and junction three.

• Friday 19 April at 21:00 BST to Monday 22 April at 06:00 BST - M54 westbound full closure between junction three and junction four.