The UK’s Highways Agency is set to begin further improvements on the M62 motorway, in a move to reduce congestion and improve journeys for drivers near Castleford, West Yorkshire.

With an investment of £3.22m, work on two pinch point schemes will begin on 30 June and will consist of improvements to the eastbound exit slip roads and mainline approaches at junctions 31 and 32 on the M62.

"This will be beneficial for the local economies and also improve safety for drivers."

The project to increase capacity at the junctions by widening the exit slip roads is scheduled to be completed by the end of December this year.

Highways Agency service delivery team leader Roger Wantling said the new schemes will improve the exit arrangements at the two junctions, which are currently affected by congestion during peak hours.

"This will be beneficial for the local economies and also improve safety for drivers," Wantling said.

"Once complete, they will cut congestion and reduce journey times at these junctions."

These works are part of the UK Government’s growth initiative, which is designed to boost local economies, ease congestion and improve safety on the strategic road network.

Pinch point schemes deliver smaller scale improvements that can offer high returns, resulting in a boost for local economies and economic growth.