MOTORISTS travelling towards Manchester face two weekends of disruption as work continues on the M60 at the Simister Island Interchange.
Local drivers heading towards the M60 are being warned to plan ahead, with sections of the motorway set to close in both directions over two weekends.
According to National Highways, the closures are needed as the M60 Junction 18 Simister Island Scheme moves into its next phase, which involves removing the remaining gantries between junctions 17 and 18.
The motorway will be closed between the two junctions on Saturday, September 26, to Monday, September 28, and again from Saturday, October 10 to Monday, October 12.
The closures will be carried out in stages to allow work to take place safely.
During the first weekend:
- The anticlockwise (westbound) M60 will close from 8pm on Saturday, September 26 until 6am on Monday, September 28.
- The clockwise (eastbound) M60 will close from 11.59pm on Saturday until 6am on Monday.
The second weekend will see:
- The anticlockwise (westbound) M60 will close from 10pm on Saturday, October 10 until 6am on Monday, October 12.
- The clockwise (eastbound) M60 will close from 11.59pm on Saturday until 6am on Monday.
National Highways says the later start for the clockwise closure on October 10 is deliberate, with the closure delayed by around two hours to help manage traffic associated with an event at Co-op Live. The Pussycat Dolls are due to perform at the Manchester venue that evening.
Drivers could therefore encounter heavier traffic and longer journey times, particularly while the motorway closures are in place.
National Highways says full traffic management, diversion routes and signage will be used during the works.
The Simister Island Interchange is one of the busiest motorway junctions in the North West, with around 90,000 vehicles using it every day. The junction currently handles traffic volumes beyond what it was originally designed for, contributing to congestion and unreliable journey times.
The wider Simister Island scheme is intended to improve the M60’s Junction 18 and help traffic flow more smoothly between the connecting motorways.
For motorists who regularly use the M60, the two weekends are likely to mean allowing extra time, checking routes before setting off and following diversion signs while the closures are in place.
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