A major police incident forced the complete closure of both carriageways on the M60 in Greater Manchester. This brought motorway traffic to a standstill between Junction 17 at Prestwich and Junction 18 at Simister Island. The unexpected shutdown caused significant disruption for motorists. Drivers faced delays exceeding 30 minutes, according to updates from National Highways.
Emergency services rushed to the scene to manage the developing situation. According to National Highways, personnel from Greater Manchester Police, the North West Ambulance Service, and local fire crews were all in attendance. They handled the incident and secured the busy section of the road network.
Traffic Disruption and Congestion Details
The closure heavily impacted travel in both directions, leaving vehicles stranded or crawling at reduced speeds. National Highways reported that congestion stretched back for approximately three miles (4.8 kilometers) on the immediate approaches to the affected junctions.
- Affected Route: M60 between Junction 17 (Prestwich) and Junction 18 (Simister Island)
- Direction: Both clockwise and counter-clockwise carriageways closed
- Emergency Services: Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service, and fire crews
- Reported Delays: Over 30 minutes with a 3-mile (4.8km) congestion queue
Motorists traveling through Greater Manchester were strongly advised to check live traffic conditions. They were told to avoid the area entirely and allow extra time for their journeys while emergency responders worked to clear the scene and safely reopen the motorway.
