Drivers across Greater Manchester faced travel chaos this afternoon as a serious collision forced police to completely shut down the M62 motorway in both directions.
The major incident occurred between Junction 11 for Birchwood and Junction 12 for Eccles, bringing one of the region's busiest routes to a standstill during peak travel hours. Emergency services rushed to the scene following reports of a multi-vehicle collision.
Gridlock Across the Northwest
Motorists found themselves trapped in stationary traffic for hours as queues stretched back approximately 10 miles in both directions. The closure created a domino effect across the region's road network, with surrounding A-roads becoming gridlocked as drivers sought alternative routes.
National Highways issued an urgent warning to travellers, stating: "The M62 is closed in both directions between J11 and J12 due to a collision. Emergency services are on scene. There is approximately 10 miles of congestion on the westbound side and 7 miles on the eastbound."
Emergency Response
Multiple emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulance crews, and fire engines, were deployed to manage the incident. Traffic officers worked to establish a safe perimeter around the collision site while investigations began.
Witnesses reported seeing air ambulance services being dispatched, though authorities have not confirmed the severity of injuries at this stage.
Travel Advice
Commuters and long-distance travellers were advised to:
- Avoid the area completely if possible
- Allow significant extra journey time for essential travel
- Follow diversion routes via the M60 and A57
- Check live traffic updates before setting out
The unexpected closure comes during a particularly busy travel period, leaving many stranded and facing substantial delays to their evening plans. Motorists already on the motorway reported being stationary for over two hours with little information about when the route might reopen.
As investigations continue, authorities have warned that significant disruption is expected to persist throughout the evening rush hour, with recovery operations likely to take several hours.
