A record-breaking 1,100 tonnes of fresh tarmac was laid in a single night last month as a new road resurfacing technique, which is expected to reduce delays for drivers, was trialled.  

Some 13,200 sq m of tarmac - the equivalent of two football pitches - was completed on the M6 near Leyland in one night, four times more than an average resurfacing shift and a job which would have previously taken seven nights. 

The safety of all 25 workers remained the top concern with no near misses or incidents recorded during the work. 

John Lyssejko, project manager at Highways England, which carried out the work, said: “We’re keen to do things differently, maintain high standards and reduce the impact on drivers and this new method of working ticks every box.

“We will continue to challenge how we plan and carry out resurfacing work so we can keep disruption to a minimum and ensure drivers can benefit from safer and smoother journeys in the future.”