A MILLION pound scheme to make the M6 safer and quieter will get under way this month.

The Highways Agency project will take place in three phases and aims to improve sections of the motorway between Junction 36 at Kendal and Junction 42 at Penrith.

The first part of the £1.8 million project begins on February 18 and involves resurfacing a 1.3 mile stretch of northbound carriageway near Junction 40 with a a new, noise-reducing surface.

Lanes one and two will be closed between 7pm and 7am every night until until the work finishes in March..

As part of this scheme one weekend closure will be required, which will be advertised nearer the time during which traffic is planned to be diverted via Junction 41.

The second phase will improve the carriageway in both directions between Junctions 41 and 42, creating a smoother driving surface for road users, while the final section of the scheme to resurface of 3.5 miles of the road northbound at Junction 36, near Kendal, is due to begin on February 22.

Work is planned to be carried out around the clock with a contraflow in operation although some overnight closures of the northbound entry slip road may be required before the scheme's completion in March.