The new fund was unveiled in the Department for Transport’s Road Investment Strategy 3 to fix England’s bridges, flyovers and tunnels.

The M53 upgrade package in Merseyside and Cheshire is the first major bridge replacement programme to advance with the new funding.

Work starts with a £3m maintenance job at Eastham Viaduct between junctions 4 and 5.

Crews will replace expansion joints on the structure carrying the motorway over the Wirral Circular Trail and the main Merseyrail line between Chester and Liverpool.

The wider three-year programme will replace four bridge decks and deliver resurfacing, drainage and viaduct repairs along one of the region’s key motorway routes.

National Highways is finalising traffic plans for deck replacements at Upton Road, Raby Hall Road and Clatterbridge junction.

The new decks will be assembled beside the motorway before being wheeled into place after the old structures are demolished.

The programme also includes £5.2m of resurfacing and £455,000 of drainage improvements between junction 7 at Ellesmere Port and junction 10 at Little Stanney. That work starts in July and runs into the autumn.

Amy Williams, National Highways director for the North West, said: “Parts of the M53 were built almost 55 years ago at a time when traffic volumes and the weight of vehicles was considerably lower.

“This £50 million maintenance, renewals and repairs package – including the new bridge decks – will help secure safe, smooth and reliable journeys for businesses, commuters, residents and other motorway users for many years to come.”