Live traffic updates: M60 and M66 chaos during rush hour
Rush hour disruption continues as two motorways—the M60 and M66—grapple with a series of incidents. A crash near Worsley triggered a lane closure on the anticlockwise M60, while a separate incident has sparked slowdowns on the M62 and beyond. Drivers are facing heavy congestion, long queues, and growing delays as emergency services and highways officers manage the scene.
Second incident creates additional bottlenecks
The second incident occurred on the M60 anticlockwise near junction 13 at Worsley, just after the first disruption began. A crash led to the initial lane closure, with traffic backing up to the M61 Kearsley Spur. Although the vehicles involved have since been moved to the hard shoulder, congestion remains as drivers navigate the scene. Highways officers closed two lanes on the M60 between junction 16 (Pendlebury) and 17 (Prestwich and Whitefield) to ensure safe operations for responders and to restore traffic flow gradually.
Current scene and live updates
Traffic cameras indicate a breakdown of a lorry at the incident site, with workers assessing the scene. Two lanes remain closed in the area, and traffic levels are heavy in both directions. The disruption is affecting drivers in multiple corridors as queues stretch along the westbound M62 past junction 19, and tailbacks extend toward Simister Island and beyond toward junction 19 of the M62 at Heywood and Middleton.
Impact on rush hour queues
Motorists are facing hour-long queues on both the M60 and M62 as the lane closures and the breakdown slow the flow of traffic. The combination of incidents has compounded delays during peak travel times, prompting motorists to seek alternate routes or extra travel time. Local updates from scene observers and traffic cameras suggest that the situation remains fluid, with gradual improvements as responders clear the scene and road restrictions are adjusted.
What drivers can expect in the next updates
With the lane closures in place and queues persisting, drivers should prepare for continued slow speeds through the affected corridors. If you are traveling through this area, consider checking live traffic feeds, signposted diversions, and potential alternative routes such as M61 corridors or other regional routes to avoid the congestion near the Worsley junction and Simister Island. Emergency services advise patience and adherence to temporary traffic management to ensure safety until the scene is fully cleared.
Tips for navigating the disruption
- Plan extra travel time and monitor live traffic updates before departure.
- Follow police and highways signs rather than attempting risky lane changes.
- When possible, stagger travel times to avoid peak congestion windows.
- If you’re driving with others, consider sharing updates to minimize individual trips and reduce overall congestion.
Conclusion: ongoing coverage to follow
We’ll continue monitoring the situation and provide updates as new information becomes available. The incident on the M60, compounded by the secondary event near Worsley, underscores how quickly highway conditions can shift during rush hour. Check back for the latest on lane statuses, queue lengths, and expected clearance times as responders work to restore normal traffic flow.
