RESURFACING work will take place on the M65 as part of a major scheme to improve roads in East Lancashire.

Around a mile and a half of the hardshoulder will be improved on the westbound carriageway between junction eight at Hapton and junction six at Whitebirk.

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Work will also be carried out on both sides from junction three to four, which involves patching up all three lanes due to damaged caused through general wear and tear.

The Highways Agency said the work would be carried overnight, and when the other lanes are affected the road will be kept open by running traffic down the hard shoulder between junctions three and four.

A date has not yet been set for the work, however it is due to be carried out before April.

The project is part of a £39million scheme of road improvements over the next few years across Lancashire.

It will see a total of 78 projects, including seven major ones, delivered in Lancashire by the end of March.

Work also includes a £135,000 resurfacing for Huncoat roundabout along the A56 near Accrington.

Meanwhile a £1.43million scheme to install traffic lights at junction five of the M65, at Guide, was carried out in September.

Further funding is expected by the end of the decade as part of the Government’s £24billion Action for Roads programme.

Highways Agency North West regional director Alan Shepherd said: "This is really good news for road users across Lancashire because it will ultimately mean less congestion, more reliable journey times and improved safety.

"Record amounts are being invested in roads. That inevitably means more roadworks, but for every scheme we work on there will be an improvement for drivers.

"We are well aware of how frustrating drivers find roadworks, but I would like to reassure everyone that all our work is planned very carefully to cause as little disruption as possible.

"Some is inevitable and we ask for drivers’ cooperation while the improvements are carried out."

The work follows months of disruption for commuters along the M65 while improvements were made to the safety barriers.

The £350,000 Lancashire County Council project has been carried out across a three and a half mile section between junction 10 at Gannow, Burnley, and junction 12 at Brierfield.