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Warning to drivers as part of M60 to shut again

Lynette HorsburghNorth West
Google A motorway with large blue signs overhead forks two ways at a junction. On the right there is a sign for the M62 to Leeds and Huddersfield and on the left are signs for Oldham. Google
Two gantries are being removed at Simister Island Interchange on the M60 in Bury

Drivers are being warned of "severe congestion" when a busy stretch of motorway is closed this weekend as part of an upgrade to the road.

Junction 17 and 18 of the M60 in Bury, Greater Manchester, will be shut on Saturday evening until 06:00 on Monday.

The closures are to enable the demolition of two large overhead gantries at the Simister Island Interchange. It comes after two others were removed last month.

National Highways said the work was part of a £300m improvement scheme and would improve traffic flow, support future housing, employment and growth across the region.

Frances Oliver, of National Highways, told BBC North West Tonight: "These gantries are up to 120 tonnes so it's very similar to removing a small footbridge so it is quite a large amount of work for us to undertake."

Multiple levels of motorway overpasses carrying cars, vans and red lorries, with traffic moving in both directions. Tree-lined surroundings and distant hills are visible in the background beneath clear daylight skies.
Two busy junctions at Simister and Prestwich will be closed for the work

Oliver added: "We are expecting there to be severe congestion in the area so we are asking people to plan their journeys, check before they travel and if at all try not to travel or defer their journey.

"The message is if you don't need to be in the area please try not to be."

Frances Oliver with shoulder-length dark hair wearing a dark green patterned top, seated indoors against a plain light-colored wall, looking towards the camera.
Frances Oliver asked people to avoid the area while the work is taking place this weekend

Full closures and timings

From Saturday 10 October to Monday 12 October

  • The M60 westbound will be closed from 22:00 on Saturday to 06:00 on Monday
  • The M60 eastbound will be closed from 23:59 on Saturday to 06:00 on Monday

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