NEARLY £2 million of fresh roadworks are underway on the M6 in Cumbria - causing more disruption for drivers.

Highways England say the investment is being spent to provide safer and smoother journeys for motorists in the county.

As part of its maintenance programme for the motorway, two separate projects involving resurfacing, installing new safety barriers, replacing road studs and repainting road markings, are taking place.

The programme includes a £1.3 million project to install new safety barriers in the central reservation along a 3.5-mile section of the motorway between junction 36 for Kirkby Lonsdale and junction 38 at Tebay.

That scheme started on last Sunday (September 15) and will last for ten weeks.

A second project, costing £1.5 million, will involve resurfacing sections of the southbound carriageway between junction 40 at Penrith and Tebay at junction 38.

That will start on Monday, October 7 and last for five weeks.

Highways England project manager Nichola Capstick said: “These are routine wear and tear roadworks but are vital to keep the motorway in good condition so drivers can continue to enjoy safe and smooth journeys.

“We’re working hard to minimise any disruption to people’s journeys but we appreciate that drivers like to know what work we are doing when lanes are closed and reduced speed limits are in place.”

Most of the work will be done using lane closures and a 50mph speed limit past the roadworks, including during the day .

As part of the Government’s £15 billion road investment strategy large sections of the motorway and major A road network are being resurfaced.

Since April 2015 more than 4,000 lane miles of the network have been resurfaced – with over 1,000 miles alone this financial year - meaning safer and smoother journeys for drivers and other road users up and down the country.