DRIVERS are being warned of the potential for major congestion in Kendal tonight and Tuesday night.

The Highways Agency is diverting all northbound M6 traffic off at Junction 36 and directing it to rejoin the motorway at Junction 39.

It is to steer motorists away from major bridge repairs taking place on the section of the northbound M6 between J37 Sedbergh and J38 Tebay.

The diversions come into effect from 8pm until 6am tonight and on Tuesday.

But there are concerns that despite it happening outside of the main commuter hours, the Longpool area could become further snarled up due to the ongoing bridge works by Network Rail.

Cumbria County Council, which is not involved in the works, have warned the Longpool area could prove a 'pinch point' for motorists.

Work on the A591 starts last Thursday, which means one lane in either direction between Shenstone interchange and Prizet garages will be closed until Friday April 4.

A county council spokesman said: "We do not anticipate the lane closure needed for the resurfacing work on the A591 will cause any major issues given the time of night.

"But the need to divert all northbound M6 traffic through Kendal at a time when the A6 is reduced to a single lane is likely to cause major congestion in the evening and potentially overnight too.

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"As the local highways authority, we can only try and minimise any anticipated disruption and the key thing we have asked the contractor at Longpool bridge to do is to man traffic signals overnight rather than leave an automated system in operation so they can ease the flow of vehicles as effectively as possible. All of the agencies involved in this work apologise in advance for any disruption.”