Drivers advised to avoid closed M62 after collision between J21 and J20

M62 towards Milnrow (stock image)

The westbound M62 has been closed following a serious collision earlier this afternoon (Wednesday 2 August)

A police incident investigation is expected and is likely to take several hours with the Manchester-bound westbound carriageway likely to remain closed for several hours beyond this evening’s peak travel period.

The closure follows a road traffic collision between junction 21 at Milnrow and junction 20 for Rochdale at around 2.30pm.

National Highways traffic officers from the outstation at nearby Milnrow are at the scene helping to manage traffic and free drivers stuck between the incident and junction 21. 

Work is currently taking place to free these vehicles past the scene of the incident using the hard shoulder.

Police and National Highways are currently at the scene of a collision M62 Westbound between junctions 21 and 20. There is a full block on the Westbound at the moment and a lane 3 closure on the Eastbound. pic.twitter.com/16rV210LDe

— North West Motorway Police (@NWmwaypolice) August 2, 2023

Colleagues at National Highways’ regional operations centres at Newton-le-Willows near Warrington and Calder Park near Wakefield and National Traffic Operations Centre (NTOC) at Birmingham have set electronic signs across the motorway network to warn drivers of the carriageway closure.

A diversion is in place north of the motorway with drivers being advised to follow the ‘solid square’ symbol – leaving the motorway at junction 21 and rejoining at junction 20 via the westbound A6193 and A664 and then southbound A627M. 

Anyone planning to use the westbound M62 into Manchester is advised to delay their journey or use an alternative route should they wish to avoid likely congestion along the diversion route.

Drivers are advised to check traffic conditions before setting out on journeys. Live traffic information is always available at www.trafficengland.com or from National Highways’ 24-7 customer contact centre at 0300 123 5000. Updates will also be posted to @HighwaysNWest – National Highways’ regional Twitter feed.