M56 traffic stopped near Manchester Airport

Emergency roadworks took place on the M56 eastbound this morning.

Two of four lanes had to be closed between J7 (A556) and J6 near Manchester Airport.

The works were carried out to fix a defect with an expansion joint which requires re-tarmacking.

National Highways warned this caused delays of more than 30 minutes and congestion for seven miles.

The roadworks have now been completed and traffic has been stopped in order to remove the lane closures.

Traffic will be released in all lanes "shortly", National Highways has stated.