Smart Motorway gantry sign
A gantry structure spanning the motorway with electronic signals, blue signs showing the left lane exiting and three others continuing ahead, and the following text.
Exit destinations: A556 ; M'cr (S & C); [Airport symbol] (M56).
Forward destinations: NORTH WALES, Preston; L'pool, M'cr (N), Chester M6 .
Junction number: 19.
Strangely, Greater Manchester's main connection to the South and Midlands is via the A556, a little A-road interlude on what surely ought to be a motorway route throughout. Exit here for the M56 eastbound, or stay on for the M56 westbound, which we'll reach in a moment.