M60 traffic RECAP: Motorway closed in both directions after horror crash involving biker

The M60[1] was shut after a serious crash[2] involving a motorbike. The collision happened in Greater Manchester between junction 18 (Simister Island) and junction 19, with the motorway closed in both directions. Emergency services, including Greater Manchester Police[3], rushed to the scene with the closure first reported at around 9pm.

A National Highways[4] spokesperson said: "The M60 in Greater Manchester is closed in both directions between J18 (Simister Island) and J19 (near Middleton) due to a serious collision involving a motorcyclist. "Please note, overnight roadworks has closed the anti-clockwise carriageway between J21 and J19. Therefore, the anti-clockwise carriageway is closed between J21 and J18.

"Greater Manchester Police are leading the response to the incident and it is expected the road will be closed for a protracted period. North West Ambulance Service have also attended the incident. National Highways Traffic Officers and contractors are in attendance and assisting with traffic management."

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23:47Bradley Jolly

M60 remains closed in both directions

The M60 remains closed in both directions. It is currently unclear when the motorway will reopen. Inrix, the traffic data company, said: "M60 in both directions closed, queueing traffic due to accident from J19 A576 Middleton Road (Heaton Park Three Arrows Roundabout) to J18 M66 J4 (Simister Island)."

23:42Bradley Jolly

Long queues

The traffic service Inrix says there is currently queueing traffic approaching each of the of closure.

Traffic is worsened as, in addition to the closure due to the crash, overnight roadworks mean the the anti-clockwise stretch of the M60 between J21 and J19 is shut. Therefore, the anti-clockwise carriageway is currently closed between junctions 21 and 18.

23:39KEY EVENT

Diversion routes in full

Road users travelling clockwise are advised to follow the solid diamond diversion symbol on road signs and:

• Leave the M60 clcokwise at J18 amd travel anti-clockwise to J17
• Exit at J17 and take the 1st exit on to the A56
• At the A56/A6044 junction, turn left on to the A6044
• At the junction with the A576, turn left on to the A576 and rejoin the M60 clockwise at J19

Anti-clockwise traffic is asked to follow the route marked with a hollow diamond symbol initially and then the solid square symbol and solid circle on local road signs and:

• Leave M60 anti-clockwise at Jct 21 onto Semple Way
• Turn left on to the A663 and then right on to the A6104
• Travel on the A6104 (diversion route symbol changes to solid square)
• Continue on the A6104 and at the junction with the A576, turn left (diversion route symbol changes to solid circle)
• Turn right on to the A6044 towards Prestwich
• At A6044/A56 junction, turn right on to the A56 northbound to rejoin the M60 J17 anti-clockwise

23:36KEY EVENT

M60 crash involves a motorcyclist

A National Highways spokesperson said: "The M60 in Greater Manchester is closed in both directions between J18 (Simister Island) and J19 (near Middleton) due to a serious collision involving a motorcyclist. "Please note, overnight roadworks has closed the anti-clockwise carriageway between J21 and J19.

Therefore, the anti-clcokwise carriageway is closed between J21 and J18. "Greater Manchester Police are leading the response to the incident and it is expected the road will be closed for a protracted period. "North West Ambulance Service have also attended the incident.

National Highways Traffic Officers and contractors are in attendance and assisting with traffic management."

23:35Bradley Jolly

Traffic at standstill as emergency services rush to scene

One witness said there four police vehicles, three ambulances and a critical care team were present at the scene. The eyewitness said traffic was currently at a 'standstill' around the closure.

23:15Bradley Jolly

M60 shut in both directions

National Highways say the motorway is shut in both directions following the "serious collision". Police remain at the scene clockwise following the crash near junction 19 for Middleton, Greater Manchester, while the stretch anti-clockwise between junction 21 and junction 19 is shut due to overnight roadworks.

A serious collision has resulted in the closure of the #M60 in both directions between J18 (#Simister) and J19 near #Middleton[5][6][7]

Please note, the #M60 anti-clockwise is also closed for overnight roadworks between J21 (#Chadderton) and J19. @gmpolice on scene. pic.twitter.com/7TaPTd8wzW[8][9][10][11]

-- National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) August 1, 2025[12]

References

1. ^ M60 (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ crash (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ Greater Manchester Police (www.mirror.co.uk)
4. ^ National Highways (www.mirror.co.uk)
5. ^ #M60 (twitter.com)
6. ^ #Simister (twitter.com)
7. ^ #Middleton (twitter.com)
8. ^ #M60 (twitter.com)
9. ^ #Chadderton (twitter.com)
10. ^ @gmpolice (twitter.com)
11. ^ pic.twitter.com/7TaPTd8wzW (t.co)
12. ^ August 1, 2025 (twitter.com)