Overnight M62 closures next week for bridge replacement preparation

Overnight M62 closures at Rochdale for bridge replacement preparation

Drivers using the M62 through Greater Manchester are being advised that the first of a series of carriageway closures related to the replacement of a railway bridge over the motorway near Rochdale is taking place next week.

Network Rail is replacing Castleton bridge which carries the main railway line over the M62 between Manchester and Rochdale as part of the Manchester Victoria to Leeds route.

The railway will be closed from Friday 6 to Tuesday 24 September between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale with rail replacement buses in operation for passengers.

Preparation work this month requires five successive overnight closures of the westbound M62 from Monday (15 July).

The westbound carriageway will be closed nightly between 9pm and 6am between junction 20 of the motorway at Rochdale and junction 19 at Heywood.

A diversion will be in place with drivers leaving the westbound M62 at junction 20, joining the southbound A627(M) and then using Rochdale Road (A664) and Hollin Lane (A6046) to re-join the M62 at junction 19.

The M62 will be closed in both directions around the clock for two full weekends in September when the bridge will be removed and replaced – from 9pm on Friday 6 September to 6am on Monday 9 September and from 9pm on Friday 20 September to 6am on Monday 23 September.

There will also be nightly closures of the motorway in both directions between the two weekend closures.

Further information for drivers, including diversion routes, will be issued nearer the time but National Highways is asking drivers to note the dates and be prepared to delay journeys or use alternative trans-Pennine routes and or modes of transport.

National Highways has set up a webpage to keep commuters, businesses and other M62 users up to date with progress and planned closures related to the Network Rail project.