Ice causing major problems on motorways

Greater Manchester Police are reinforcing their advice to motorists to take extra care on the roads and to avoid any unnecessary journeys – following a number of collisions on motorways across Greater Manchester due to the treacherous weather conditions.

Although many of the major roads have been gritted, severe ice is causing major problems.

The M60 has been closed at junction four and five due to the ice after six cars were forced to stop their cars on the embankment and hard shoulder.  

Anyone wishing to travel into Manchester city centre is advised to use the A5103.

Reports were also received of a car stuck in ice at 9am on junction 24 of the M6 northbound.

Another incident occurred at 9:10am where two cars collided at junction 24 of the M60 heading in an anti-clockwise direction. There were no injuries and both cars were forced to stop on the hard shoulder.

There was also a collision at 9:15am on junction three of the M66 southbound. Black ice has been located on the road surface.

Superintendent Alan Greene said: “While the motorway has been gritted, there is a tendency for some drivers to be over confident.

“People should take additional care.

“We are working hard with the highways agency to keep all the motorways passable but people must take additional care.”

As the snow continues to cause disruption across the region, Greater Manchester Police is re-iterating the message for people to only call 999 in an emergency, where there is a threat to life or crime in progress.