Major motorway closed as ‘police incident’ sees three-mile queues and commuter chaos

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is leading the ongoing response, with the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and National Highways workers also in attendance.

Rush-hour commuters are facing severe disruption this morning after a major police incident forced the closure of the M60 in both directions this morning. The motorway was completely shut between Junction 17 at Prestwich and Junction 18 at Simister Island early Thursday morning.

Emergency services, including police, firefighters, and paramedics, have descended on the area. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is leading the ongoing response, with the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and National Highways workers also in attendance.

While the exact nature of the incident has not yet been confirmed by authorities, the impact on the region’s travel network has been substantial. According to National Highways North-West, drivers are currently facing delays of more than 30 minutes, with tailbacks stretching for over three miles on the approach to the closure.

The disruption has also spilled over into local routes. In connection with the M60 incident, the A665 Bury Old Road in Whitefield has been closed between Walker Avenue and North Circle, compounding traffic issues for local residents.

National Highways took to X (formerly Twitter) to warn motorists of the ensuing chaos, stating: “The road remains closed due to a police-led incident. @gmpolice are leading on scene. There are delays in excess of 30 mins and 3 miles of congestion on the approach.”

Authorities are urging motorists to avoid the area and allow extra time for their journeys, as traffic continues to build up across Greater Manchester.

A diversion is in place, which is:

Clockwise – follow the route marked with a solid diamond symbol on local road signs:

• Exit the M60 clockwise at J17.
• At the M60 J17 roundabout take the third exit onto the A56 southbound Bury New Road.
• At the A56/A6044 junction turn left onto A6044 eastbound Scholes Lane.
• Continue on to the A6044 Sheepfoot Lane.
• At the A6044/A576 junction, turn left onto A576 northbound Middleton Road.
• At A576/M60 J19 roundabout, take the third exit and re-join M60 clockwise.

Note: for the M62 eastbound or M66 northbound take the route above but at M60 J19 roundabout take the first exit instead, on to the M60 anti-clockwise and continue to J18.

Anti-clockwise – follow the route marked with a solid circle symbol on local road signs:

• Exit at M60 J18.
• Join the M60 clockwise.
• Exit the M60 clockwise at J19.
• At the M60 J19 roundabout take the third exit on to the A576 Middleton Road.
• At the A576/A6044 junction turn right on to the A6044 westbound Sheepfoot Lane.
• Continue on to the A6044 Scholes Lane.
• At the A6044/A56 junction turn right on to the A56 northbound Bury New Road.
• At the M60 J17 roundabout take the first exit to re-join the M60 anti-clockwise.