The M56 "North Cheshire Motorway" runs from Manchester to Chester, connecting Manchester Airport, the towns of Runcorn and Warrington, and the industrial areas of north Cheshire to the M6, as well as providing easy access to North Wales and the Wirral.
The M56 was constructed in stages. The first section to open in 1971 was the Hapsford (J14) to Preston Brook (J11) which included the Weaver Viaduct. A year later in 1972, the Bowdon (J7) to Wythenshawe (J3) section opened. This was followed by the Sharston Bypass (J3 - J1), and the missing links to the M6 in 1974 and 1975. A final extension beyond the M53 was added in 1981.