Motorists warned of delays ahead of second M62 closure
Work to replace a rail bridge is continuing this weekend
Motorists are being warned of long delays ahead of the M62 closing for a second weekend, as work to replace a rail bridge continues.
The motorway will shut at Rochdale at 21:00BST on Friday night (September 20), and won't reopen until 06:00BST on Monday morning (September 23).
The major road, which links Liverpool and Hull, was closed for a weekend earlier this month, as Network Rail demolished the bright.
National Highways, which operates the M62, is urging drivers planning local or cross-Pennine trips over the weekend to delay journeys, look for alternative routes well away from the area or check for congestion before setting out.
Gary Farrell, National Highways’ senior network planner, said: “During the first weekend closure we had significant if unsurprising congestion at times on the approaches to the closure along both the clockwise M60 and westbound M62 as well as the diversion routes.
“This weekend, queues are likely again along the M60, M62 and diversion routes especially during the day and we strongly urge people planning to travel to delay their journeys or use alternative routes well away from this part of the motorway network.
“At the very least people should be checking for congestion or incidents before setting out and leaving extra time for journeys".
This weekend’s closure plan is a repeat of the first one – with the eastbound M62 closed from junction 18 at Simister Island interchange to junction 20 at Rochdale.
The westbound carriageway will be closed between junction 20 and junction 19 at Heywood.
The diversion for eastbound drivers will use the strategic road network with drivers from the M66 or clockwise M60 travelling to junction 21 of the M60 at Chadderton where they should then use the northbound A663 (Broadway) and northbound A627M to join the M62 at junction 20.
Drivers diverted off the westbound M62 at junction 20 should join the southbound A627(M) and then use the westbound A664 and northbound A6046 to re-join the M62 at junction 19.