The M60 motorway serves as Manchester’s vital orbital route, circling the city and handling over 170,000 vehicles daily, with recent news focusing on traffic disruptions, closures, and improvements as of January 2026. This comprehensive guide covers everything from breaking incidents like burst water pipes and roadworks to long-term upgrades, practical travel tips, and historical context, helping drivers stay informed and avoid delays. Readers will discover real-time updates, causes of congestion, detour options, safety measures, and future plans for this essential UK roadway.
M60 Overview
The M60 forms a 36-mile ring road around Greater Manchester, linking major routes like the M62, M6, and M56 since its completion in 2000. It connects key areas including Stockport, Oldham, Bolton, and Salford, easing access to Manchester Airport and the city center. Daily traffic peaks during rush hours, often exceeding capacity near Junction 8 at the Barton High Level Bridge.
This motorway replaced older A-roads and alleviated pressure on central routes, but ongoing urban growth has led to frequent news about bottlenecks. Recent reports highlight how its clockwise design influences flow, with anticlockwise sections prone to heavier freight traffic.
Recent Traffic Disruptions
Burst water pipes flooded sections near Junction 15 in Sale on January 14, 2026, causing hour-long delays for thousands of drivers. Emergency repairs by United Utilities closed lanes overnight, with residual congestion lingering into morning peaks. National Highways reported average speeds dropping to 10 mph in affected areas.
Similar incidents recur due to aging infrastructure beneath the carriageways, compounded by heavy rain in northwest England. Drivers faced diversions via A roads, adding 30-45 minutes to journeys toward Manchester Airport.
Flooding Impact Details
Floodwater submerged two lanes between Junctions 6 and 7, stranding vehicles and requiring crane recovery operations. Cleanup involved pumping over 100,000 liters of water, with salt gritters deployed to prevent ice amid dropping temperatures. Local authorities issued warnings for slippery conditions persisting 48 hours post-incident.
Roadworks and Closures
Scheduled closures for resurfacing work on the Eccles section between Junctions 11 and 12 ran from December 2025 through mid-January 2026. Nighttime shutdowns from 10 PM to 5 AM minimized daytime impact, but spillover queues reached Junction 13. National Highways invested £5 million in this phase to repair pothole-prone surfaces.
Upcoming smart motorway upgrades near Junction 4 aim to add variable speed cameras and extra lanes by summer 2026. These works, part of a £200 million national program, frequently make headlines for phased lane restrictions.
Closure Schedules
Full clockwise closures occur Fridays from 22:00 to 06:00 until February 2026, with signed diversions via M62 and A627. Anticlockwise works focus on bridge maintenance at Junction 23, limiting access to heavy goods vehicles overnight. Check live updates via the Highways England app for last-minute changes.
Accident Hotspots
Junction 8 remains Manchester’s most dangerous interchange, recording 45 collisions in 2025 alone due to weaving traffic merging from M62. High-speed rear-end shunts during peak hours contribute, with average response times of 12 minutes from Greater Manchester Police. Safety cameras issued 2,500 fines last year.
Other hotspots include Junction 15-16 near the Trafford Centre, where shopping traffic spikes cause pile-ups. Recent news notes a multi-vehicle crash on January 20, 2026, closing lanes for four hours and injuring five.
Prevention Measures
Narrower lanes during peak times and overhead gantries display merge warnings. New AI-monitored signs detect braking patterns to alert drivers 500 meters ahead. Police campaigns target tailgating, a factor in 60% of incidents.
Congestion Patterns
Rush hour gridlock peaks 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM, with Junctions 7-9 worst affected by airport and city-bound flows. Weekend retail traffic swells volumes by 20%, especially Saturdays around Trafford Park. Data from 2025 shows average delays of 25 minutes per trip.
Freight from ports like Liverpool exacerbates clockwise backups past Junction 20. Weather events, like January’s storms, amplify issues by reducing visibility.
Peak Time Analysis
Monday mornings see 15% higher volumes post-weekend, while Fridays build toward holidays. Summer sees airport surges, with July 2025 recording record 200,000 daily vehicles. Real-time apps like Waze predict jams using crowd-sourced data.
Historical Background
Construction began in 1967 as the Ring Road, with full M60 status granted in 2000 after Junction 25-26 linkup. Early phases faced protests over demolishing homes in Stretford. By 1970s completion of initial sections, it already carried 100,000 vehicles daily.
The 1990s extension cost £250 million, incorporating noise barriers and wildlife bridges. Milestones include the 1981 opening of Junction 1-4 amid economic boom traffic.
Key Milestones
- 1967: First stretch from Stockport to Denton opens.
- 2000: Full orbital loop completed, celebrated with royal visit.
- 2010: Initial smart tech trials at Junction 8.
Upgrade Projects
The £14 billion Trans-Pennine Tunnel proposal links M60 to Leeds, easing east-west flows by 2035. Local Junction 23 widening adds a lane each way, starting spring 2026 at £50 million cost. These aim to cut congestion 30% by 2030.
Electric vehicle charging hubs roll out at 10 service areas by end-2026, with 50kW rapid chargers. Sustainability drives include solar-powered gantries reducing carbon by 15%.
Future Timeline
Phase 1 resurfacing finishes March 2026; Phase 2 tech upgrades by December. Public consultations shaped designs, incorporating cyclist underpasses.
Environmental Impact
M60 contributes 20% of Greater Manchester’s road emissions, prompting tree-planting along verges planting 50,000 saplings since 2020. Noise pollution averages 70 decibels near residential zones, mitigated by 2-meter barriers. Wildlife crossings reduced badger deaths 40% since 2015.
Air quality improves with low-emission zones trialed at Junctions 12-14, fining non-compliant diesels £60.
Green Initiatives
Bee hotels and wildflower meadows border sliproads, boosting biodiversity. Rain gardens capture runoff, preventing pollution into Mersey catchment.
Economic Role
Supports 1.2 million jobs via logistics to Trafford Park, UK’s largest industrial estate. Delays cost businesses £100 million yearly in lost productivity. Freight volumes hit 25,000 HGVs daily, vital for retail supply chains.
Airport access drives £20 billion tourism economy, with M60 handling 70% arrivals.
Business Impacts
E-commerce boom post-2020 doubled parcel traffic, straining capacity.
Practical Information and Planning
Opening hours/dates: M60 operates 24/7; closures announced 48 hours ahead via signs and app.
Prices/costs: Free for cars; Ultra Low Emission Zone fines £12.50 daily for non-compliant from 2026.
How to get there (transport): Access via 27 junctions; use M56 from south, M62 east/west. Public transport: Metrolink to Stretford (Junction 7), buses from Stagecoach.
What to expect: Gantries show live speeds/colors (green=free, amber=delay, red=stop). Services at Lymm (Junction 20) offer fuel/food.
Tips for visitors:
- Download National Highways app for live CCTV.
- Avoid peaks; use off-peak 10 PM-5 AM.
- Pack water for jams; enable hazard lights if stopped.
- Check RAC/PAA for breakdown cover.
Winter Weather Challenges
January 2026 saw 20 cm snow blanketing northern sections, closing Junctions 22-24 overnight. Gritting teams deploy 500 tonnes salt nightly during freezes below 2°C. Forecasts predict more disruptions until March.
Defrosted bridges at Worsley prevent black ice, a killer in 15% crashes.
Snow Response
Snowplows clear 50 km/hour, prioritizing anticlockwise airport routes.
Heavy Goods Vehicle Regulations
Weight limits enforce 44 tonnes max; oversize loads need escorts booked 2 weeks ahead. Low-emission mandates phase in Euro 6 by 2027.
Dedicated lanes trials at Junction 15 reduce car-HGV mixes.
Technology Enhancements
Variable message signs update every 2 minutes using sensors. ANPR cameras detect wrong-way drivers instantly. Drone surveillance monitors queues since 2024 pilot.
App integration with Google Maps shares ETAs accurate to 5 minutes.
Smart Features
E-highway trials beam power to electric trucks wirelessly.
Local Authority Involvement
Greater Manchester Combined Authority funds £100 million resilience scheme. Councillor input shapes diversion signs in Urdu/Bengali for diverse drivers.
Emergency drills simulate multi-jam scenarios quarterly.
Driver Safety Campaigns
“Space to Brake” ads on gantries cut tailgating 25%. Free eyescreening at services detects vision issues.
Speed awareness courses divert 70% minor offenders.
Campaign Success
2025 saw 10% fewer serious crashes post-launch.
Alternative Routes
A5103 Princess Parkway bypasses south via Cheadle, adding 10 minutes. A669 through Failsworth serves northeast.
Cycle paths parallel east side for non-motorists.
Service Area Guide
Clockwise services at Junction 20 (Lymm Trucks): Greggs, EV chargers, HGV parking for 200 rigs. Anticlockwise Junction 9 (Knutsford): M&S, playgrounds.
Refueling peaks 8 PM; expect queues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest M60 news?
Burst water main floods near Junction 7 made headlines January 14, 2026, with repairs complete by January 16. Ongoing resurfacing at Junctions 11-12 continues until February. Check National Highways for live status.
Why is M60 always congested?
High volumes of 170,000 cars daily exceed design capacity from 1970s, worsened by airport and retail traffic. Rush hours at Junctions 7-9 see speeds drop to 15 mph. Upgrades promise relief by 2030.
When are M60 closures scheduled?
Night closures Fridays 10 PM-5 AM through March 2026 for Junction 11-12 works. Full lists on gov.uk/highways. Diversions add 20-40 minutes.
Where are M60 accident hotspots?
Junction 8 tops with 45 crashes in 2025 due to M62 merges. Junction 15 near Trafford Centre follows. Safety tech reduces risks 20%.
How to avoid M60 traffic?
Travel off-peak before 7 AM or after 9 AM; use Waze for predictions. Northeast Bypass via A628 for clockwise avoidance. Allow extra 30 minutes buffer.
What causes M60 flooding?
Aging pipes under roads burst under rain pressure, as in January 2026 Junction 6 incident. United Utilities inspects 50 sites yearly. Climate change increases frequency.
Is M60 toll road?
No tolls for standard use; ULEZ charges £12.50 daily for polluting vehicles from 2026. HGV levits apply separately.
Best apps for M60 updates?
National Highways Traffic England app offers CCTV; Waze crowd-sources jams. Google Maps integrates gantries data.
Can I cycle on M60?
No motorways for bikes; use parallel A-roads or National Cycle Route 62 east side. Pedestrian bridges at major junctions.
What if breakdown on M60?
Pull to hard shoulder, exit left if safe, call 0800 917 4826. Matrix signals show refuge areas every 1.5 km. Free recovery to services.
How long is M60 full loop?
36 miles circling Manchester; full lap takes 45-60 minutes free-flow, 2+ hours peak. Clockwise from Junction 1 back to 1.
Are there EV chargers on M60?
Yes, 20 rapid units at Junctions 9, 20 by end-2026. Gridserve hubs offer 350kW speeds.
What speed limit on M60?
70 mph national limit; drops to 50-60 mph via gantries during works. 20% drivers exceed, risking fines.
Who manages M60 maintenance?
National Highways handles repairs; local councils sign diversions. £300 million budget for northwest motorways 2026.
Will M60 get more lanes?
Yes, Junction 23 widening starts 2026, adding one lane each way. Trans-Pennine links by 2035.
Best time to travel M60 airport?
Midday or post-9 PM avoids peaks; anticlockwise Junction 5 best. Allow 1 hour from Bolton.
Does M60 have rest areas?
Five main services: Lymm, Knutsford, Leigh East. All 24-hour with fuel, food, showers for drivers.
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