M53 Motorway - Temporary Prohibition Of Traffic For Road Bridge Replacement Works

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14

THE M53 MOTORWAY (JUNCTIONS 1-3 NORTHBOUND & SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAYS & SLIP ROADS) 
(TEMPORARY RESTRICTION AND PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) ORDER 2026 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that National Highways Limited (Company No. 09346363) intends to make an Order on the M53 Motorway in the Borough of Wirral, in the County of Merseyside to enable Upton Road Bridge replacement works, and other general maintenance works; to be carried out in safety.

The Order will:
(a) impose a 50 miles per hour speed limit on the following sections of the M53 Motorway:
i. the northbound carriageway from a point 3,005 metres south of the Upton Road Bridge, to a point 623 metres north of the same point;

ii. the southbound carriageway from a point 2,789 metres north of the Upton Road Bridge, to a point 348 metres south of the same point;

iii. the northbound carriageway from a point 1,005 metres south of the Upton Road Bridge, to a point 623 metres north of the same point;

iv. the southbound carriageway from a point 1,189 metres north of the Upton Road Bridge, to a point 348 metres south of the same point;

v. the northbound entry slip at J3, from a point 72 metres south of the entry slip road at J3.

vi. the southbound entry slip at J2, from a point 550 metres north of the entry slip road at J2.

(b) ban all traffic from the following sections of the M53 Motorway:
i. the northbound carriageway, from the last point at which the J3 exit slip road leaves the carriageway, to the first point at which the J2 entry slip road joins the carriageway;

ii. the southbound carriageway, from the last point at which the J2 exit slip road leaves the carriageway, to the first point at which the J3 entry slip road joins the carriageway;

iii. the northbound entry slip road at J3;

iv. the southbound exit slip road at J3;

v. the southbound entry slip road at J2;

vi. the northbound exit slip road at J2.

(c) impose width restrictions on the following sections of the M53 Motorway:

i. a width restriction of 1.98 metres (6 feet 6 inches) in lane 2 on the northbound carriageway, from a point 755m south of the Upton Road Bridge, to a point 533 metres north of the same point;

ii. a width restriction of 1.98 metres (6 feet 6 inches) in lane 2 on the southbound carriageway, from a point 2,039 metres north of the Upton Road Bridge, to a point 258 metres south of the same point.

Restrictions (a) and (c) are expected to be in place during a continuous period starting at 21:00 on Monday 20 July 2026 and ending at 05:00 on Friday 17 December 2027.

Prohibition (b) is expected to be in place overnight between 21:00 and 05:00 during a period starting on Monday 20 July 2026 and ending on Friday 17 December 2027.

Restrictions (a) and (c) are expected to be in place during a continuous weekend period (over several weekends subject to signage & communications) starting at 21:00 on Friday 7 August 2026 and ending at 05:00 on Monday 23 August 2027.

However, work may start and continue during subsequent continuous periods, or on subsequent nights until completed.

Diversions routes via alternative junctions of the M53 Motorway and local roads will be well signed.

The restrictions will not apply to emergency services or special-forces vehicles, and the prohibitions will not apply to emergency services, works, or traffic officer vehicles. The restrictions and prohibitions will only apply during such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by traffic signs. 

The Order comes into force on 19 July 2026 and has a maximum duration of eighteen months. For further information, contact sam.smith@nationalhighways.co.uk 

S Smith, an official of National Highways Limited, 100 Embankment, Cathedral Approach, Salford, M3 7FB National Highways Limited, Three Snowhill, Snow Hill Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6GA. Registered in England & Wales number 09346363