Significant transport disruptions are expected as the M62 is scheduled to close.
- The closure will last two full weekends in September affecting cross-Pennine travel.
- Network Rail plans to replace the Castleton railway bridge between junctions 19 and 20.
- Approximately 120,000 vehicles use this section daily, highlighting the scale of impact.
- Drivers are advised to follow official diversions and avoid relying on satnav guidance.
In an essential move to overhaul ageing infrastructure, the M62 motorway will experience two significant closures next month, marking the first time in recent history that a complete weekend closure is planned. Spanning one of the busiest transport veins between Manchester and Rochdale, the closure is scheduled from 9 pm on Friday 6 September to 6 am on Monday 9 September, and again from 9 pm on Friday 20 September to 6 am on Monday 23 September. This section of the motorway is travelled by approximately 120,000 vehicles daily, underscoring the substantial influence these closures will have on cross-Pennine transit.
The purpose of these closures is to facilitate Network Rail’s initiative to replace the Castleton railway bridge, a structure that has stood for nearly sixty years. As it holds the primary railway line connecting Manchester Victoria to Leeds, its replacement is deemed crucial. Gary Farrell, a senior network planner at National Highways, remarked on the necessity of this infrastructure improvement, acknowledging it as a critical component of the railway system affecting numerous routes.
As part of the mitigation strategies, diversion routes are to be implemented to manage traffic during these periods. National Highways strongly recommends that drivers avoid this stretch of the M62 during the closures. In addition to following the officially designated diversions, drivers are cautioned against relying solely on satnav systems for guidance during these substantial detours.
Highlighted by the procedural arrangements, this undertaking reflects a broader commitment to maintaining and upgrading essential transport infrastructures. The importance of timely logistics and efficient traffic management cannot be overstated, especially given the high-density vehicle flow in this area.
The planned closures of the M62 for essential bridge replacement works underscores the importance of infrastructure maintenance for transport efficiency.
