Imagine starting your day with a commute that turns into a frustrating standstill. That's exactly what drivers on the M60 faced this morning, thanks to not one, but two separate incidents causing major delays. Here’s the full breakdown of what happened and how it affected thousands of travelers.
During the morning rush hour on January 23, heavy congestion plagued the M60 anticlockwise through Salford due to two unrelated breakdowns. According to the Inrix traffic monitoring service, one lane was closed between junctions 16 (Pendlebury) and 15 (M61 Swinton Interchange), while another lane was shut down near junction 12 (M62 and M602 Eccles Interchange). These closures weren't just minor inconveniences—they sparked a ripple effect of delays across the region.
But here's where it gets even more complicated: The exit slip road from the M62 eastbound onto the M60 anticlockwise was also closed due to the breakdown at junction 12. This meant drivers heading from Warrington toward Trafford and Manchester Airport faced significant disruptions. Queues stretched back onto the M62 westbound, past Simister Island, near junction 19 at Heywood, adding to the morning chaos.
The impact didn't stop there. Traffic congestion spilled over to the M61 southbound approaching the M60, with delays reaching back to junction three at Farnworth. National Highways cameras captured severe gridlock on the M60, painting a clear picture of the morning's frustration.
And this is the part most people miss: The incidents on the M60 had a knock-on effect on local roads in Worsley. Walkden Road, Leigh Road, Worsley Road, and Worsley Brow all experienced delays as drivers sought alternative routes to avoid the motorway chaos.
Throughout the morning, updates rolled in as the situation evolved. By 08:46, all lanes at junction 12 had reopened, including the slip road onto the M60 anticlockwise from the M62 eastbound. Queues near Prestwich began to ease, though drivers were still feeling the effects of the earlier incidents. One lane between junctions 16 and 15 also reopened, but the breakdown at junction 12 continued to cause delays.
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: With breakdowns being a common cause of motorway delays, should there be more proactive measures in place to prevent such incidents, or is this simply an unavoidable part of daily commuting? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
For those who missed the key moments, here’s a quick recap:
- 08:13: Slip road from M62 eastbound to M60 anticlockwise closed due to breakdown at junction 12.
- 08:46: All lanes and slip roads at junction 12 reopened.
- 08:45: Queues eased between junctions 16 of the M60 and 19 of the M62 westbound.
- 08:37: One lane reopened between junctions 16 and 15 on the M60 anticlockwise.
This live event highlighted the fragility of our daily commutes and the far-reaching impact of even minor incidents on major roads. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to monitor traffic conditions across the region.
