Drivers face delays as work begins on improving M18

The Highways Agency scheme involves replacing the steel central reservation barrier of the motorway with a safer, concrete barrier and also improving drainage on a nine-mile stretch of the road between junction two and Waterton Bridge, north of junction four.

It is anticipated that the roadworks will take until the end of March next year to complete.

Highways Agency project manager, Andrew Jennings, said: "This barrier replacement scheme will increase safety on the M18 in South Yorkshire.

"The new barriers are stronger and more robust, reducing the risk of vehicles involved in accidents crossing from one side of the motorway to the other, and improving the safety of road users and road workers.

In an attempt to minimise disruption to motorists, two lanes of traffic will be maintained during the day and the motorway will be reduced to one lane in each direction overnight while the works are carried out.

The work will be carried out in phases, with the first – between junction four and Warning Tongue Lane bridge, north of junction three – beginning today and set to finish in November.

During the work, a 50mph speed limit will be in place.

The second phase of the scheme, between junction three and Warning Tongue Lane bridge, will start in mid-October and last for 12 weeks.

Roadworks between junction four and Waterton Bridge will start in mid-November and last for 11 weeks, with the final phase of the scheme – between junction two at Wadworth Interchange and junction three – starting in early January for eight weeks.