Drivers urged to avoid M62 after serious incident closes motorway
Drivers travelling between Manchester and Leeds are being urged to avoid the M62 as the motorway is currently closed in both directions between junction 21 at Milnrow and junction 22 at Saddleworth following a serious incident.
The accident happened at 8.15am today when an HGV travelling eastbound crossed the central reservation and has been involved in a collision with vehicles travelling in the opposite direction. The motorway is likely to remain closed for several hours.
The emergency services are currently at the scene, supported by Highways England’s traffic officers. Vehicles already between junctions 21 and 22 are being allowed past the scene of the incident on the hard shoulder.
The eastbound carriageway has already been cleared and the westbound carriageway is likely to be cleared within the next hour. No eastbound vehicles are currently being allowed beyond junction 21 and no westbound vehicles are being allowed beyond junction 22.
Highways England is urging drivers to delay their journeys or seek an alternative route. An official diversion is in place but is likely to be very busy throughout the morning.
Drivers on the eastbound M62 should leave at junction 21 and follow the eastbound A6193, southbound A640 through Newhay and then the northbound A672 at Denshaw, re-joining the M62 at junction 22. Drivers on the westbound M62 should follow the same diversion in reverse.
Highways England traffic officers at the North West regional control centre at Newton-le-Willows and colleagues at the National Traffic Operations Centre near Birmingham have set overhead message signs across the local, regional and wider motorway network to advise drivers of the closure.
Drivers are being urged to check travel conditions before setting out on journeys on our website or on Twitter at @HighwaysNWEST or @HighwaysYorks.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.