[WATCH] CCTV shocking footage of motorist on M60 driving through construction barriers.
Figures reveal four drivers a month in Manchester are driving through motorway road works.
Drivers are being urged not to put road workers’ lives at risk by deliberately ignoring road closures on the M60 and M62 near Manchester as new shocking footage reveals one motorist driving through a construction area. The incident happened on the M60 slip road for Eccles and the CCTV also shows road workers giving chase to the driver.
New figures have revealed that four drivers a month are entering closed sections of road in the Manchester smart motorway scheme to either overtake traffic on the motorway or avoid using diversion routes.
Drivers are being warned that they could be prosecuted if they ignore road closures, and electronic signs at the side of the motorway are also being used to display the message ‘Don’t ignore road closures. CCTV in operation.’
Earlier this year, a drunk driver received a 12-month prison sentence and was disqualified from driving for 15 months after ignoring an overnight slip road closure at junction 23 of the M60 near Ashton-under-Lyne.
Stephen Hill, Project Manager for the Manchester smart motorway scheme at Highways England, said:
“It’s shocking that four drivers a month are putting the lives of our workers at risk by deliberately ignoring road closures, just to try and save a few minutes on their journeys.
“The work to upgrade the M60 and M62 to a smart motorway is one of the biggest construction projects currently underway in the North West, and sometimes we need to close parts of the motorway to ensure the safety of our workers.
“We only ever close slip roads and motorway carriageways overnight when traffic levels are lower, and make sure there are clearly-signed diversion routes in place.
“We are urging drivers to follow the diversions for their own and our workers’ safety, and warning that we will pass on the details to the police of any drivers who deliberately ignore road closures.”