M62 closure LIVE: Traffic chaos as major UK motorway shuts carriageway amid flooding

Flooding triggered the closure of part of the M62 amid more woe for motorists due to bad weather. Two lanes on the eastbound carriageway between Junctions 11 for Birchwood and 12 for the Eccles Interchange were closed, National Highways said. The closure was sparked by flooding due to heavy rain.

More rain is expected across the UK this week and a yellow weather warning is in place from 10pm tonight in four areas of Scotland, the Met Office has confirmed.

22:23Zahra Khaliq

Live blog closed

Delays have cleared on the M62 after closures were lifted following flooding on the route. This live blog is now closed. Visit the Mirror's homepage[1] for all the latest news.

20:11Zahra Khaliq

Westbound lane closures removed

All westbound lane closures have been removed on the M62, while lanes 1 and 2 on the M62 eastbound between J11 and J12 remain closed for ongoing flood water clearance works.

There are "no delays in both directions," National Highways has said.

All lane closures have been removed on the #M62[2] westbound carriageway. Lanes 1 and 2 (of 4) remain closed on the #M62[3] eastbound between J11 (#Birchwood[4]) and J12 (#M60[5]) for ongoing flood water clearance works. No delays in both directions. pic.twitter.com/kSv5YtrFcz[6]

-- National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) February 7, 2026[7]19:25Zahra Khaliq

Delays building on westbound carriageway

Delays are building on the westbound carriageway of the M62 as crews continue carrying out works to clear flood water.

The latest update from National Highways reads: "2 (of 4) lanes are now closed on the #M62 in both directions between J11 (#Birchwood) and J12 (#M60) for investigation works in relation to the flood water."

18:42Zahra Khaliq

Westbound lane re-opens - but work continues

The lane closure on the M62 westbound has been removed, but lanes one and two (of four) remain closed eastbound between J11 (Birchwood) and J12 (M60). Crews are still carrying out work at the scene to clear the flood water.

16:41Zahra Khaliq

Work to clear flood water is 'ongoing'

Work is ongoing to clear flood water on the M62. Two of four lanes remain closed eastbound between J11 (Birchwood) and J12 (M60).

National Highways are waring drivers to expect "slight delays on approach". One lane is also closed on the westbound carriageway for "inspection and survey works".

16:39Zahra Khaliq

Closures sparked by heavy rain as more than 80 flood warnings in place

Lane closures on the M62 have been sparked by heavy rain as more than 80 warnings of expected flooding are in place across the UK.

91 flood warnings have been issued by the Environment Agency (EA), mostly across the south, south-west England and the East and West Midlands.

15:28Zahra Khaliq

Latest from National Highways

Two lanes remain closed on the M62 eastbound between J11 Birchwood and J12 M60. Another lane is closed on the westbound carriageway for inspection and survey works, National Highways said in an update posted this afternoon.

15:00Benjamin Lynch

One westbound lane closed

One westbound lane is also closed due to "inspection and survey works", National Highways North West said.

14:59Benjamin Lynch

Queues three miles along

Queues of around three miles are being reported following the closure.

"Currently 3 miles of congestion on approach," National Highways North West said in an update late this morning.

14:44Benjamin Lynch

Affected junctions

National Highways has said two lanes on the eastbound carriageway between Junctions 11 for Birchwood and 12 for the Eccles Interchange have been closed.

Flooding seen on the M62 (National Highways)14:44Benjamin Lynch

Flooding due to bad weather

Flooding is behind the M62 closure, as more bad weather in the form of heavy rain sweeps the UK.

References

1. ^ homepage (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ #M62 (twitter.com)
3. ^ #M62 (twitter.com)
4. ^ #Birchwood (twitter.com)
5. ^ #M60 (twitter.com)
6. ^ pic.twitter.com/kSv5YtrFcz (t.co)
7. ^ February 7, 2026 (twitter.com)