Drivers in Manchester and Greater Manchester are facing further disruption on the M60 between Junctions 17 (Whitefield) and 18 (Simister Island), with another full weekend closure planned for October 10-12. This follows significant delays experienced during a previous closure in late September, which led to widespread congestion on local roads.
The closures are part of a major, nearly £300 million upgrade project at Simister Island, aimed at improving traffic flow and capacity at the busy interchange. National Highways has confirmed the works are essential for the scheme’s progress.
Previous M60 Closures Caused Extensive Delays
During the M60 closure from September 25-28, drivers reported being stranded for hours. For instance, one journey from Atherton to Chadderton, typically 20 minutes, turned into a six-and-a-half-hour diversion after leaving the motorway at Whitefield, according to BBC News. This caused considerable inconvenience, with one parent improvising with a welly boot for their child needing the toilet during the prolonged wait.
The disruption pushed thousands of vehicles onto residential roads across Prestwich, Higher Blackley, and Bury, creating “horrendous” bottlenecks. Residents near Heaton Park and Prestwich told the Manchester Evening News that their journey times more than doubled or even tripled. Even alternative routes, such as Middleton Road, became heavily clogged, with one driver reporting an additional 45 minutes added to a journey to Chadderton via Oldham town centre.
Some drivers, like Matt Smith, 45, faced two-hour journeys for trips that normally take 40 minutes, having to divert through Swinton and Salford. Another resident noted that a typically ten-minute drive from Whitefield took an hour and a half during the closure.
The Simister Island Upgrade Project
The ongoing works at Simister Island involve the removal of five overhead gantries, as well as widening the M60 and adding a new loop lane. This new lane is designed to reduce the number of vehicles using a traffic-controlled roundabout to travel between the M60, M62, and M66.
National Highways stated that the project aims to create extra capacity, improve traffic flow, and support future housing, employment, and economic growth in the city region. The scheme is expected to cost nearly £300 million and is scheduled for completion in 2029.
Nicola Eastwell, National Highways project manager, described the gantry removal as an “important next step” and acknowledged the inconvenience, thanking the local community and road users for their “continued support and patience.”
Upcoming M60 Closure: October 10-12
Motorists should prepare for further disruption as another full weekend closure of the M60 between junctions 17 and 18 is scheduled from Saturday, October 10, to Monday, October 12. Based on the experiences from the recent closure, drivers in Manchester and Greater Manchester can anticipate significant delays.
It is advisable to plan journeys well in advance, consider alternative travel methods, and allow substantially more time for any necessary road travel during this period. Diversion routes are likely to be heavily impacted, as observed in previous instances where even attempts to avoid main congestion points proved difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions about the M60 Closure
- When is the next M60 closure at Junctions 17-18?
Another full weekend closure is scheduled between Saturday, October 10, and Monday, October 12. - Why are these M60 closures happening?
The closures are part of a major upgrade project at Simister Island, which includes removing overhead gantries, widening the M60, and adding a new loop lane to improve traffic flow and capacity. - How long is the Simister Island upgrade project expected to take?
The project, costing nearly £300 million, is scheduled for completion in 2029. - What impact have previous M60 closures had on local traffic?
Previous closures led to severe congestion on diversion routes and local roads across Prestwich, Higher Blackley, and Bury, causing journey times to double or triple for many drivers.