Drivers across Greater Manchester faced hours of chaos on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, as a major police-led incident forced a full closure of the M60 motorway near Barton Bridge. The disruption, which began just before 10:00 AM, brought traffic to a grinding halt in both directions between key junctions and sparked widespread delays stretching for miles.
According to National Highways, the initial closure affected the stretch of the M60 between Eccles (junction 11) and Trafford Park (junction 10). However, as the situation unfolded, the closure expanded. On the anti-clockwise side, the motorway was shut between junction 12 for the M602 and junction 10, while the clockwise carriageway was closed between junction 9 and 11. This effectively cut off one of the busiest arteries in the region, leaving drivers stranded and traffic at a standstill near Barton Bridge, a key crossing point for commuters and freight alike.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that officers were responding to a “concern for welfare” incident on Barton Bridge, reported at around 9:40 AM. In a statement, a GMP spokesperson said, “Officers are currently responding to a concern for welfare on Barton Bridge on the M60, reported at around 9:40am today (Tuesday 31 March). The M60 remains closed in both directions while emergency services are in attendance. Significant delays are expected and drivers are advised to avoid the area where possible.”
The nature of the incident was not immediately disclosed, but the heavy police presence and the decision to close both sides of the motorway underscored the seriousness of the situation. Emergency services, including police officers and National Highways traffic officers, remained on the scene throughout the day, conducting what was described as “investigation work.”
National Highways provided regular updates to motorists via social media and their official traffic maps, which showed severe congestion building on the M60 anti-clockwise. At one point, queues stretched back to junction 15 (Swinton Interchange) on the anti-clockwise carriageway and to junction 7 (Stretford) on the clockwise side. Motorway cameras showed back-to-back traffic, with drivers stuck for extended periods as authorities worked to manage the situation.
As the closure persisted, National Highways advised drivers to plan ahead, allow extra journey time, and consider alternative routes or even delaying their journeys altogether. “If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey,” the agency advised. Diversion routes were quickly put in place, with anti-clockwise traffic directed via the hollow circle symbol on road signs and clockwise traffic via the solid square symbol.
The impact was felt not just on the motorway itself, but also on surrounding roads, as drivers sought to avoid the closure. Areas near Barton Bridge, such as Peel Green, reported heavy traffic as motorists attempted to navigate around the blocked motorway. Google Maps and other live traffic services showed very slow-moving traffic in the affected areas, and the congestion spilled over into local streets, compounding the frustration for commuters and residents alike.
By late morning, the closure had been in place for almost three hours, and National Highways warned that the disruption was likely to continue for several more. “At around 09:41, National Highways Traffic Officers were dispatched to assist Greater Manchester Police with closures of the M60 in both directions. The M60 is likely to remain closed for several hours due to Police investigation work taking place. Traffic caught within the closure is in the process of being released,” the agency stated.
Traffic monitoring system Inrix reported that the closure on the anti-clockwise side had been extended, with queues backing up even further. Meanwhile, National Highways shared on X (formerly Twitter) that drivers should expect delays of more than 25 minutes, although for many the wait was even longer. Motorway cameras and traffic maps continued to show huge queues on both sides of the motorway, and the closure remained firmly in place as emergency services worked at the scene.
By early afternoon, there was a partial reprieve for some motorists. All lanes on the clockwise side of the M60 were reopened, and traffic slowly began to return to normal in that direction. However, the anti-clockwise carriageway remained closed between junction 12 and junction 10, with long queues still stretching back to junction 15. National Highways confirmed that investigation work was still underway and that the closure was expected to remain in place for several more hours.
The knock-on effects of the closure were significant. With both sides of the motorway blocked for much of the day, drivers faced miles of delays and were urged by police to avoid the area altogether. Emergency services remained on scene, and National Highways continued to release trapped traffic caught within the closure. The force’s spokesperson reiterated, “Significant delays are expected and drivers are advised to avoid the area where possible.”
For many, the incident was a stark reminder of how quickly a major road network can grind to a halt when an emergency arises. The M60 forms a crucial ring road around Greater Manchester, serving not only as a commuter route but also as a vital corridor for businesses and logistics. The closure’s ripple effects were felt across the region, as alternative routes became clogged and drivers scrambled to adjust their plans.
Throughout the day, updates from National Highways and traffic monitoring services like Inrix and AA provided crucial information to stranded motorists and those planning their journeys. The advice was clear: avoid the area if possible, follow the diversion signs, and be prepared for significant delays.
As the afternoon wore on, traffic on the clockwise side of the M60 eventually returned to normal, but the anti-clockwise closure remained in place for several hours longer. Emergency services continued their work at the scene, and the investigation into the concern for welfare incident was ongoing. The full details of the incident had yet to be confirmed by Greater Manchester Police by late afternoon, but their presence and the scale of the response made clear the gravity of the situation.
By the end of the day, the incident had caused widespread disruption, but the coordinated efforts of emergency services, National Highways, and traffic officers helped to manage the fallout and gradually restore the flow of traffic. For those caught up in the delays, it was a frustrating experience, but the swift response and clear communication from authorities provided some reassurance amid the uncertainty.
Events like this serve as a reminder of the importance of real-time information and the value of cooperation between agencies in keeping the region’s roads safe and moving, even in the face of unexpected emergencies.