MOTORISTS and train passengers are being warned of a section of the M62 and the railway being closed for the entire weekend.

People are strongly urged to check their travel plans as Network Rail prepares for a multi-million-pound bridge replacement this weekend.

More than £22million is being invested to rebuild a 42-metre-long, 2000-tonne railway bridge that takes trains over the M62 in Castleton, near Rochdale.

For the first time in recent memory, the M62 will be closed over two weekends.

The closures are on the eastbound carriageway between, junctions 18 and 20, and westbound between 19 and 20.

The first is from 9pm tomorrow, Friday, September 6, and 6am on Monday, September 9.

This will be followed by a further full weekend closure from 9pm on Friday, September 20, and 6am on Monday, September 23.

Motorists are advised to avoid this area of the M62 during these closures by rescheduling journeys or planning alternative routes.

In addition to the weekend closures, nightly closures of the M62 between junctions 19 and 20 will be in place from Monday, September 9, until Friday, September 20, between 9pm and 5am.

The railway will also be closed from Friday, September 6, until the early morning of Wednesday, September 25, between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale.

Rail replacement buses will be in operation and passengers are advised to review their travel plans well in advance as journey times will be significantly longer than usual.

The Castleton bridge plays an important part in the UK's infrastructure, carrying six per cent of the country's energy supply across the nation, as freight trains transport materials to and from Drax power station in Selby.

Olivia Boland, from Network Rail, said: “The replacement of the bridge is essential for the safe running of our railway, and crucial to the country’s economy.

“I am very sorry for the inconvenience our work will cause motorists and passengers.

“If it is essential that you travel, please follow the signed diversionary routes, and do not rely on sat nav advice. Allow extra time for rail replacement journeys throughout September.”

Recently, two 42-metre, 70-tonne steel beams were delivered to the work site during an overnight closure of the M62.

The beams, manufactured in Ireland, made their journey over the Irish Sea to Holyhead, before travelling with a police escort to the M62 site, where the bridge will be built in situ.

Since the beams' delivery, engineers have been preparing for this weekend’s critical work.

During this weekend’s road closure, engineers will dismantle the old bridge and remove it via the M62.

The new bridge will then be installed during the second weekend closure later this month.