ARCTIC winters have made a real mess of East Lancashire’s roads in the past two years.

Nowhere is that more apparent than on the M65.

East Lancashire’s motorway is important to businesses and residents alike and the poor condition of many parts of its surface is a major issue.

The Lancashire Telegraph has campaigned for the worst potholes in the area to be repaired as a matter of urgency and, in fairness, some of the worst stretches of the M65 have already been patched up.

After waiting for years for resurfacing projects to take place, two are now set to take place within a week.

The Highways Agency is to shut most of the carriageways between junctions seven and eight near Accrington to tackle a badly damaged stretch of road.

And Lancashire County Council, which operates the road past Burnley towards Colne, has chosen the same week to start an even more disruptive schedule of repairs between Burnley and Brierfield.

There will undoubtedly be disruption to motorists but, ahead of what is sure to be another freezing winter, the remedial work is certainly to be welcomed.