Hauliers are being advised to prepare for major disruption as Network Rail replaces the Castleton railway bridge, which carries the main railway line over the M62 between Manchester and Rochdale. This critical infrastructure upgrade will require two full weekend closures of the motorway in September, potentially affecting travel and logistics operations across the Pennines.
The M62 linking Liverpool and Hull will be closed in both directions between junction 19 at Heywood and junction 20 at Rochdale, National Highways has announced.
The closures are scheduled from 9pm on Friday, 6 September, until 6am on Monday, 9 September, and from 9pm on Friday, 20 September, until 6am on Monday, 23 September.
Additionally, nightly closures between junctions 19 and 20 will occur from 9pm to 6am every night between the two weekend closures.
Diversion routes
National Highways has outlined specific diversion routes to manage traffic during the closures.
For eastbound hauliers, the diversion will take drivers from junction 18 of the M62 at Simister Island to junction 20 at Rochdale via the M66, M60, A663 (Broadway), and A627M.
Westbound traffic will be diverted from junction 20 at Rochdale back onto the M62 via Middleton, using the A627(M), A664 Rochdale Road, and A6046 Hollin Lane.
Hauliers are strongly advised to avoid relying on sat-nav systems and instead follow the official diversion routes to minimize disruptions and delays.
Impact on hauliers
With the M62 carrying approximately 120,000 vehicles daily, the closures are expected to have a substantial impact on logistics and cross-Pennine haulage operations.
National Highways has urged hauliers to plan their journeys carefully, considering alternative routes and potential delays.
Routes such as the A69 (Carlisle to Newcastle), A66 (Penrith to Scotch Corner), and the M67/A57/A628/A616 Manchester to Sheffield link are recommended as alternative trans-Pennine options.
Additional closures in West Yorkshire
Further disruptions are expected in West Yorkshire, where the M62 will undergo nightly closures between Huddersfield and Brighouse.
The westbound M62 will be closed between junctions 25 and 24 from Monday, 9 September, to Thursday, 12 September, and the eastbound M62 will be closed between junctions 24 and 25 from Monday, 16 September, to Wednesday, 18 September.
Hauliers should also note that certain slip roads at junction 25 will be closed overnight during this period.