M60 LIVE: Man dead after bridge fall as motorway closure causes traffic mayhem

Long queues have formed on the M60 in Manchester[1] this afternoon with the motorway[2] closed in both directions after a man fell from a bridge. The road is closed from junction 11 to junction 10 on Barton Bridge near the Trafford Centre, according to traffic alert service Inrix. Greater Manchester Police[3] responded to a concern for welfare at the scene before later confirming a man had sadly died after falling from Barton Bridge.

15:30Georgia Diebelius

Congestion backed up for miles

There is congestion and 'very slow traffic' due to the fatal incident on the M60 today.

Traffic is backed up to J15 for Swinton Interchange due to the ongoing closure between J12 to J10 and the anti-clockwise carriageway.

14:56KEY EVENT

Man died after falling from bridge, police confirm

A man has sadly died after after falling from Barton Bridge earlier today, Greater Manchester Police has confirmed. "Earlier today, officers responded to a concern for welfare on Barton Bridge on the M60," the force said. "The man sadly fell from the bridge and passed away at the scene. "The road remains closed while enquiries continue.

Please avoid the area and plan alternative routes where possible as disruption is likely to continue for the rest of the day."

13:59KEY EVENT

M60 to remain closed for 'several hours' with investigation underway

The M60 will likely stay closed for "several hours" due to police investigation work taking place, National Highways has said. "At around 09:41, National Highways Traffic Officers were dispatched to assist Greater Manchester Police with closures of the M60 in both directions. The M60 is likely to remain closed for several hours due to Police investigation work taking place.

"Traffic caught within the closure is in the process of being released."

12:48Zahra Khaliq

Diversion details

Anti-clockwise traffic is being diverted via the hollow circle symbol on road signs:

• Exit the M60 anti-clockwise at J12 and keep left to join the M602 eastbound
• Exit the M602 at the next junction and take the 3rd exit at the roundabout onto the A576 southbound
• Remain on the A576 for approximately 2 miles to the Parkway Circle with the A5081 at Trafford Park
• Take the 3rd exit onto the A5081 towards Mossfield/The Trafford Centre
• Remain on the A5081 to reach Lostock Circle and rejoin the M60 at J9

Clockwise traffic is being diverted via the Solid Square symbol on road signs:

• Exit the M60 clockwise at J9 and at the Lostock Circle take the 3rd exit onto the A5081
• Continue to the next roundabout, Parkway Circle, with the A576 and take the 1st exit onto the A576 northbound
• Continue on the A576 for approximately 2 miles to reach the M602 J2 Gilda Brook Roundabout
• Take the 1st exit onto the M602 westbound and continue to the next junction to re-join the M60.

12:22KEY EVENT

'Delays exceeding 25 minutes on top of normal traffic'

The M60 clockwise between J9 to J11 and anti-clockwise between J12to J10 in Trafford remains closed. "Trapped traffic is in the process of being released," National Highways said in an update. "Expect delays in excess of 25 minutes on top of normal traffic conditions".

The #M60[4] clockwise between J9 #Trafford[5] to J11 #Eccles[6] and anti-clockwise between J12 #Winton[7] to J10 #Trafford[8] @traffordcentre remains closed. Trapped traffic is in the process of being released.

Expect delays in excess of 25 minutes on top of normal traffic conditions. pic.twitter.com/p4jHnxjdeg[9]

-- National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) March 31, 2026[10]12:04Zahra Khaliq

Drivers urged to avoid Barton Bridge area

Drivers have been urged to avoid the Barton Bridge area on the M60. Police officers are at the scene responding to a concern for welfare.

11:55KEY EVENT

Police responding to concern for welfare, GMP says

Greater Manchester Police officers are currently responding to a concern for welfare on Barton Bridge on the M60, reported at around 9:40am this morning. "The M60 remains closed in both directions while emergency services are in attendance," the force said. "Significant delays are expected and drivers are advised to avoid the area where possible."

11:37KEY EVENT

Live traffic camera shows gridlock on M60

Drivers are currently stuck in bumper to bumper traffic on the M60 in Manchester.

Large queues are forming on the M60 in Manchester (Highways England)11:29Zahra Khaliq

Greater Manchester Police at the scene

Greater Manchester Police officers are responding to the incident at the scene.

11:25KEY EVENT

Three miles of congestion on approach

National Highways has warned drivers to expect three miles of congestion on approach to the incident.

There are currently delays of around 15 minutes, it added.

Traffic has been stopped on the #M60[11] in both directions between J11 #Eccles[12] and J10 #TraffordPark[13] @traffordcentre due to a police led incident. @gmpolice[14] on scene dealing.

Delays in excess of 15 mins on approach. pic.twitter.com/jgWt9wvTXf[15]

-- National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) March 31, 2026[16]11:14KEY EVENT

M60 in Manchester closed following 'police incident'

Large queues are building on the M60 in Manchester this morning amid a "police incident".

Officers remain at the scene.

References

1. ^ Manchester (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ motorway (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ Greater Manchester Police (www.mirror.co.uk)
4. ^ #M60 (twitter.com)
5. ^ #Trafford (twitter.com)
6. ^ #Eccles (twitter.com)
7. ^ #Winton (twitter.com)
8. ^ #Trafford (twitter.com)
9. ^ pic.twitter.com/p4jHnxjdeg (t.co)
10. ^ March 31, 2026 (twitter.com)
11. ^ #M60 (twitter.com)
12. ^ #Eccles (twitter.com)
13. ^ #TraffordPark (twitter.com)
14. ^ @gmpolice (twitter.com)
15. ^ pic.twitter.com/jgWt9wvTXf (t.co)
16. ^ March 31, 2026 (twitter.com)