A SERIES of overnight closures of the M60 will take place this month to install new sign gantries.

From 9pm on Saturday, February 4 until 7.30am on Sunday, February 5, the motorway will close between junctions five and seven on both the clockwise and anticlockwise sections.

The same sections will be shut from 9pm on Saturday, 18 February until 7.30am on Sunday, 19 February.

The work is part of a 7.5km widening project which started in July, 2003, and is due to be completed in Spring, 2006. It is designed to reduce congestion and improve safety.

Clearly signed diversions will be in place.

Highway Agency project manager Graham Dakin said: "Drivers will now start to see tangible signs that this massive widening project is coming to an end with the new signs starting to appear on the motorway.

"These closures are essential for the work to be carried out safely, but it is being done overnight during weekends to keep disruption to a minimum."