September 6th 2024.
This weekend, drivers in Greater Manchester will face major changes to their journeys as the M62 closure begins tonight. The closure, which is the first of two weekend closures, is expected to cause significant disruption for motorists in the area. Connecting Liverpool and Hull via Manchester and Leeds, the M62 is a busy motorway, with approximately 120,000 vehicles passing through each day. However, this closure is necessary in order for Network Rail to demolish and replace the Castleton rail bridge, which is a critical piece of infrastructure supporting the Manchester Victoria to Leeds service and other routes.
The closure will last from 9pm tonight until 6am on Monday, September 9th, according to National Highways. During this time, the eastbound carriageway will be closed from Junction 18 to Junction 20 at Simister Island interchange, while the westbound carriageway will be shut from Junction 20 to Junction 19 at Heywood. To help drivers plan their journeys and avoid the affected area, diversions have been put in place, and they are strongly advised to familiarize themselves with these routes before setting off.
For those heading east on the M60 and M66, the diversion will take them along the M60 from junction 18 to junction 21, then onto the A663 northbound, and finally joining the A627 north before rejoining the M62 at junction 20. For westbound drivers, the diversion will involve taking the A627 southbound from the M62, then heading west at the A627 Slattocks interchange towards the A664 Rochdale Road. From there, they will need to take the A664 Rochdale Road West towards Middleton before joining the A6046 Hollin Lane Northbound and rejoining the M62 at junction 19.
Gary Farrell, National Highways' senior network planner, has emphasized the importance of this closure, stating that the Castleton rail bridge is an aging structure that needs to be replaced in order to maintain the safety and efficiency of the railways. He also advised drivers to avoid the affected section of the M62 if possible, but if travel is necessary, to follow the official diversions and not rely on navigation systems.
This weekend also happens to be the weekend of the Great North Run, which typically attracts around 60,000 participants and spectators. Motorists and runners attending this event should also plan ahead and consider alternative routes to avoid getting caught up in the M62 closure. Tony Rich, spokesperson for the AA, also reminded drivers to ensure they have enough fuel or EV charge to account for the diversions.
It's important to note that this is only the first of two weekend closures, with the next one scheduled for later this month from Friday, September 20th at 9pm until the following Monday at 6am. With these closures in place, drivers in Greater Manchester are advised to plan ahead and consider alternative routes to avoid any disruptions to their journeys.
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