One of the North-west's busiest, and most accident-prone, motorway junctions is to be improved.

The M60 Junction 12 Eccles Interchange in Greater Manchester - where the M60, M62 and M602 motorways all meet - has been the scene of more than 70 accidents in the past five years.

Now the Highways Agency is to introduce new, clearer road signs and improved road markings, with the aim of helping motorists pass through this busy interchange more safely.

Highways Agency project manager John Mather said:”There is a history of incidents at the site, including lorries turning over on the bends. This work will help to address such problems.

”It is something we need to do as we are committed to improving safety on the network. It is straight-forward but essential work that should benefit motorists and make their journeys safer.”

The Highways Agency is to embark on four improvement schemes at the junction between now and March 2009, at a cost of around £500,000.

Mr Mather added:”We will need to close parts of the junction while the work is carried out, to protect the road workers. We also felt that it is best to break the work up into stages to reduce disruption for motorists.”

The first set of improvements will start on the link from the M62 Eastbound to the M60 Southbound (anti-clockwise carriageway) and work will take place over eight nights, from 10pm to 5am.

This link will be closed during these times and fully signed diversions will be in place.