Westbound M62 closure continues

Photo: David Hirst

M62 still closed westbound, out of West Yorkshire towards Manchester

Drivers heading out of West Yorkshire towards Manchester are being advised the closure of the westbound M62 around Oldham and Rochdale is unlikely to be lifted before the start to this evening’s peak travel period. The eastbound carriageway reopened at 3.30pm (Monday 4 July).

Both carriageways of the motorway between junction 20 and Oldham and junction 21 at Milnrow were closed at around 9.35am earlier today (Monday 4 July) following a serious collision.

Police investigation work along the westbound carriageway is continuing which will need to be followed by barrier repairs and the recovery of vehicles from the scene. The westbound carriageway is unlikely to open again before 4.30pm.

Drivers needing to use the westbound M62 are advised to avoid the area – by choosing an alternative route or delaying their journeys until after the carriageway has reopened and residual queues have cleared.

Highways England traffic officers have been at the scene all day working to manage traffic and free vehicles on both carriageways stuck behind the incident. All vehicles were freed from the motorway by 2pm with traffic officers turning vehicles around and sending them off at the nearest junction.

Meanwhile, colleagues at the North West Regional Control Centre at Newton-le-Willows and at the National Traffic Control Centre at Quinton near Birmingham have set electronic message signs across the local, regional and national motorway network to advise drivers of the incident and delays.

Drivers should check travel conditions before setting out on journeys. Highways England provides live traffic information via its website www.trafficengland.com, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Information is also available from Twitter via @highwaysNWEST as well as services in other regions.

Providing they can do so safely, road users can also call the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000 to keep up to date with road conditions.