If there is a major accident everything could grind to a halt

Simon Woodings, AA

Three narrow lanes will be kept open in both directions using the hard shoulder and contraflows.

A 40mph speed limit will be enforced with speed cameras.

The narrow lanes will be closed overnight and at off-peak periods and during weekends.

'Motorway deteriorating'

The maintenance project is costing �17.5m and is the first major overhaul of the motorway since it was built 30 years ago.

This section of the M6 was resurfaced in 1988, but the carriageway has not been strengthened since the road opened in May 1972.

A quarter of the vehicles on the M6 are lorries

The joints on the elevated sections of the road are to be replaced, as are the steel box girders at junction six.

The two slip roads at this junction will also be overhauled.

Patrick Carney, project manager at the Highways Agency, said: "Some disruption is inevitable to this extremely busy section of the M6 and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused."

AA spokesman Simon Woodings said: "We are in for a not particularly pleasant 18 months.

"This stretch of motorway is not the nicest place to drive at the best of times and if there is a major accident everything could grind to a halt.

"But this work has to be done to stop the motorway deteriorating further."