Major motorway used by 150k daily will close TONIGHT – check full diversion route
DRIVERS have been warned to check their route ahead of a major UK motorway closure tonight.
Travel chaos could strike across the weekend as works take place on a busy stretch of road – used by around 150,000 motorists daily.
A diversion route has been put in place for those wishing to use the M62, which connects Liverpool to Hull, due to an essential bridge replacement.
Network Rail will be working on the 60-year-old Castleton bridge from today.
Closures are place from 9pm until 6am on Monday September 23.
Affected stretches of the motorway include eastbound routes shut from junction 18 at Simister Island interchange to junction 20 at Rochdale.
Westbound the closure extends between junction 20 and junction 19 at Heywood.
Eastbound traffic from the M66 or clockwise M60 has been advised to exit at junction 21 of the M60 at Chadderton.
Drivers are then urged to follow the northbound A663 (Broadway) and A627M to rejoin the M62 at junction 20.
Meanwhile, westbound drivers will be diverted off the M62 at junction 20 onto the southbound A627(M), then westbound A664 and northbound A6046 to rejoin at junction 19.
This is the second dose of disruption, after another closure earlier this month.
Amid the shutdowns, Manchester Airport issued warning to passengers looking to jet off this weekend.
Writing on X, airport bosses suggested using “alternative routes” to get to the terminal and leaving earlier to avoid missing flights.
And in a similar statement, major airline Jet2 urged drivers to “avoid” the affected sections of the road.
The firm added: “Please allow enough time to travel to your departure airport as all Jet2.com flights are still due to operate as scheduled.”
There will also be no trains running on the line, which connects Manchester Victoria to Rochdale.
Rail replacement bus services will be in operation instead.
Network Rail sponsor Olivia Bolan, said: “The replacement of Castleton bridge is essential for the safe running of our railway, and crucial to the country’s economy as six per cent of the UK’s energy supply relies on the bridge for transportation.
“I’d like to thank passengers and motorists for their understanding while we carry out this work.
“It is a unique project that sees weekend closures of the M62 for the first time.
“Please, check before you travel on the M62 or between Manchester and Rochdale from 6-25 September 2024.”
Steve Mason, Nationals Highways’ North West programme delivery manager, added: “The collaboration between Network Rail and National Highways highlights our commitment to minimising disruption for both rail and road users during this essential project.
“We appreciate the understanding of passengers and motorists during this work and urge them to check travel plans for September 2024.
“National Highways is actively working with Network Rail to communicate the impact on road users and ensure a smooth process during this important upgrade.”