Drivers face new closures on Shropshire's M54

Highways England says the closures are necessary for it to carry out a £2 million project to improve drainage.

The work has involved a partial closure of the hard shoulder and one of the lanes during the first stage of the work.

The full overnight closure, between junction 2 for Wolverhampton and junction 3 for Cosford and Albrighton, begins on March 14 and will last from 8pm until 6am, with diversions in place.

As part of the work Highways England will be removing debris along the verges and central reservation, clearing vegetation from the main drains, and fixing drains on both carriageways and on the central reservation.

It is expected that the overnight closure, required for the safety of those working on the road, will last for four weeks.

Highways England says both carriageways will only be closed together for one evening, with the other closures alternating between east and westbound carriageways.

It has said the work will cost around £2 million, and it comes after a number of what it describes as "concrete slab failures" on the eastbound carriageway.

The agency said a major contributing factor had been water damage to the foundation of the road.

The repairs are not the only ones being carried out, with repairs to street lighting along the M54 requiring overnight closures at three junctions this week.

The entry and exit slip roads at junction 5 for Telford town centre will be closed in both directions between 8pm and 6am from Tuesday until Thursday.

However, the slip roads will not be closed in both directions at the same time and a diversion route will be clearly signposted, Highways England said.

Meanwhile, junction 6 to junction 7 for the Ketley Brook interchange and Wellington will be closed from Wednesday to Friday between 8pm and 2am for structural inspections to be carried out.

The carriageway will be closed in both directions overnight and a diversion route will be signposted.