OVERNIGHT road closures will return to the M6 on Monday.

As part of Highways England's smart motorway works between junction 19 for Knutsford and 16 for Crewe, various stretches will be closed over the next week.

A spokesman said: "Work is underway to upgrade the M6 to a smart motorway between Crewe and Knutsford, converting the hard shoulder to an extra lane and introducing new variable speed limits.

"Narrow lanes and a temporary 50mph speed limit are in place for the safety of drivers and workers."

The works area encompasses junctions 19, 18, 17 and 16 for Knutsford, Holmes Chapel and Middlewich, Sandbach, and Crewe and Nantwich.

The following overnight carriageway closures are planned over the next week, from 9pm to 6am.

• Monday, January 29, junctions 17 to 16 southbound

• Tuesday, January 30, junctions 16 to 17 northbound

• Wednesday, January 31, junctions 19 to 18 southbound

• Thursday, February 1, junctions 18 to 19 northbound

• Friday, February 2, junctions 19 to 18 southbound

• Saturday, February 3, junctions 18 to 19 northbound

• Sunday, February 4, junctions 17 to 16 southbound