M62 to close again today as drivers warned of delays
Earlier this month, a stretch of the motorway was closed for a weekend as Network Rail demolished Castleton Bridge between junction 19 and junction 20 of the motorway at Rochdale. Now, another weekend closure is set to take place, with drivers encouraged to check traffic conditions and expect delays as they make journeys. The M62 will totally closed between 9pm on Friday, September 20, and 6am on Monday, September 23, to allow Network Rail to complete its important bridge replacement work.
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 previous closure caused long queues on the M60, as the motorway narrowed down to one lane and drivers were diverted off at Junction 17 for Prestwich. 
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. Drivers planning local or cross-Pennine trips over the weekend are being urged to delay journeys, look for alternative routes well away from the area or check for congestion before setting out.
During the weekend it closed earlier this month (September 6-9), drivers experienced congestion along both the motorway network and diversion routes.
Gary Farrell, National Highways’ senior network planner (resilience), said: “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. There is plenty of live information available on our website at www.trafficengland.com, on X or from our 24-7 customer call centre at 0300 123 5000.
Even a quick glance at the map on your mobile phone before leaving the house[1] will tell you how far back the queues are.” National Highways has set up a webpage[2] to keep commuters, businesses and other M62 users up to date with progress and planned closures related to the Network Rail project including the diversion information. The works being performed are to allow the essential replacement of Castleton bridge, a near 60-year-old structure which forms an important part of the railway network.
Staff at National Highways’ regional operations centre at Newton-le-Willows and National Traffic Operations Centre (NTOC) at Birmingham will again be setting advance and real-time messages on electronic signs across the motorway network to warn drivers ahead of and during the weekend closure.