Motorists are being urged to check their travel plans this weekend as a major motorway is set to close. A stretch of the M62 between Leeds and Rochdale will be closed over two weekends as workers rebuild a 2,000 tonne railway bridge which carries trains over the route in Castleton, near Rochdale.

Closures affect the eastbound carriageway between J18 and J20 and the westbound carriageway between J19 and J20. This weekend, they will start at 9pm on Friday (September 6) and continue until 6am Monday (September 9).

Another closure is due to take place from 9pm on September 20 and continue until 6am on September 23.

Motorists are being advised by Network Rail to avoid the area during the closures and plan alternative routes.

On top of the weekend closures, nightly shut downs of the M62 between J19 and J20 will be in place between 9pm and 5am from Monday until September 20.

The railway between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale will also be closed from Friday until early on September 25. Rail replacement buses will be in operation, but passengers are being advised to review their travel plans well in advance.

Journey times will be significantly longer than usual, according to Network Rail.

Olivia Boland from Network Rail said: “The replacement of Castleton bridge is essential for the safe running of our railway, and crucial to the country’s economy as six percent of the UK’s energy supply relies on the bridge for transportation.

“I’m very sorry for the inconvenience our work will cause motorists and passengers. If it is essential that you travel, please follow the signed diversionary routes and don’t rely on sat nav advice. Allow extra time for rail replacement journeys throughout September.”

Engineers have been on site since February due to the difficulty of demolishing the old bridge safely, according to the BBC which reports that the original railway bridge was built in 1969 with a lifespan of 60 years.

The broadcaster reports that concrete peckers will take the old bridge away before debris is cleared and the new crossing is wheeled down the M62 and put in place.

According to Network Rail, the new bridge is expected to last for 120 years.

Dee Murray from National Highways said motorway drivers will have to use local roads, adding: “It’s all been planned but it is going to be extremely busy.”

Diversion routes can be found on National Highways website. The motorway has already been reduced to three lanes and this is expected to continue until October 18.