All the changes planned to the M60, M62, M66 and M67 motorways as millions in funding confirmed

A potential new link road at a 'pinch point' of the M60 has been announced

16:27, 26 Mar 2026

Congested Simister Island(Image: National Highways)

Funding worth millions for the renewal of roads and motorways in the UK has been announced - with confirmation of a huge redevelopment of a junction of the M60[1].

The Government has also given the green light to 16 new schemes on local roads - including a new link road connecting the A49 in Wigan[2] to the A58 in Hindley. All 16 are now described as 'approved' town hall-led schemes.

And a future project - described as a 'pipeline' proposal 'to be explored - would address a 'major pinch point' on the M60, from junction 11 to 12, approching the turn-off junctions for Salford[3] and the M602 and Liverpool and Warrington. It's said to involve a possible new link road with the A57.

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In total, the Government said it had committed GBP27 billion to fix the country's 'aging' roads and fund major new schemes.

The investment over five years - known as the Road Investment Stratgy - aims to improve conditions, make journets safer and smoother and, ultimately, unlock growth and boost connectivity.

The funding, announced Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, would also allow National Highways to resurface more than 9,000 kilometres worth of motorway and major A-roads.

A potential link road at a 'pinch point' of the M60 has been announced(Image: Google)

Covered in the funding is the M60/M62[7]/M66 Simister Island Interchange - a welcome new plan to remodel a congestion hot-spot for thousands of motorists.

The Government gave the green light in September last years for a major upgrade of the junction which it is estimated could cost between GBP207m and GBP340m and take around two years to build.

The plan involves the overhaul of junction 18 of the M60, where the motorway meets the M62 and M66. It's one of the busiest junctions in the North West.

The proposed new design includes plans for a free-flowing link road, dubbed the 'Northern Loop', and a new viaduct - Pike Fold viaduct - to connect the eastbound and southbound stretches of the M60. It would eliminate the need for traffic heading clockwise past the junction on the M60 to pass around the current traffic lighted roundabout to continue their journey.

The Mottram Moor Link Road and the A57 Link Road is also covered.

A CGI of a planned new viaduct at Simister(Image: Copyright Unknown)

Work on the scheme - 60 years in the making - began in earnest last year.

The new A57 Link Roads scheme, more commonly known as the Mottram bypass, is set to transform travel in the north by reducing congestion and improving journeys between Manchester and Sheffield.

The section of roads between Hyde[8] and South Yorkshire have been problematic for motorists for years, with the GBP228m scheme aiming to change that.

The Mottram Moor Link Road is a new dual carriageway from the M67 junction 4 roundabout to a new junction on the A57 at Mottram Moor.

The other project is the A57 Link Road - a new single carriageway link from the A57 at Mottram Moor to a new junction on the A57 in Woolley Bridge.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: "For too long this country has failed to tackle and fix our crumbling infrastructure, but this huge GBP27 billion investment in our roads will secure the future of our road network for years to come.

The Mottram bypass(Image: Copyright Unknown)

"Not only are we investing in renewing our roads, meaning smoother and faster journeys for drivers, we are getting on with investing into brand new projects and fixing potholes, which will deliver benefits across the country from Norwich to Manchester."

Simon Lightwood, Roads and Buses Minister, said: "This government is firmly putting its money where its mouth is, and this new funding will be transformational for the millions of drivers and thousands of businesses that rely on our motorways and A roads every day.

"By investing in existing infrastructure and new schemes, such as the Lower Thames Crossing and long-awaited dualling of the A66, we are giving everyone the confidence they can get from A to B faster and smoother than ever before."

References

1. ^ M60 (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
2. ^ Wigan (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
3. ^ Salford (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
4. ^ HERE (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
5. ^ HERE (chat.whatsapp.com)
6. ^ HERE. (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
7. ^ M62 (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
8. ^ Hyde (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)