Motorists faced significant delays on three major motorways this morning due to a police-led incident on the M66 northbound, which has greatly affected traffic flow across Greater Manchester.
The crash, which occurred around 7:09 AM near Simister Island, involved a motorbike and car, resulting in severe injuries for the motorcyclist. While those injuries are not considered life-threatening, the incident has led to widespread disruptions, blocking all northbound lanes on the M66 between junctions 4 (M62) and 3 (Pilsworth) for around 45 minutes, according to Greater Manchester Police.
The delays didn't stop there; queues quickly formed on the M60 and M62 as vehicles were unable to join the M66. Traffic monitoring systems reported significant congestion, with one-hour delays affecting drivers approaching the blocked section.
Photos from the scene show emergency services, including multiple police vehicles and an ambulance, working to clear debris from the road after the collision. Eyewitnesses reported the road was closed to facilitate police investigations.
National Highways confirmed via Twitter, "Traffic has now been released on the #M66 northbound... all lanes have now reopened." Despite the police incident being resolved, residual delays persisted across the M60 and M62.
Congestion reports indicated over four and a half miles of traffic stretching back to Spinningfields, with motorists warned to expect additional travel time to navigate the area. The heavy traffic was compounded by the curious onlookers, which slowed movements on the southbound M66 as well.
"There's also been traffic severely affected on the A56 through Bury and Whitefield, as many drivers opted to avoid the M66," noted National Highways. The weight of this morning’s rush hour compounded the already difficult travel conditions, particularly with weather warnings for strong winds adding to the challenges.
Several vehicles were reported to be involved, but thankfully the motorcyclist was the only party requiring hospitalization after complaints of serious yet stable injuries. The incident took place not only during rush hour but also at one of the region’s busiest traffic hotspots, aggravoting the usual congestion.
One lane reopened on the M66 as emergency services began to clear the scene, though it took time for the remaining lanes to follow suit. "Motorists were warned about delays of up to one hour approaching the scene, with traffic beginning to build before it even occurred," noted the reports.
With the five-lane slip from the M60 closed and diversions necessary to handle the redirected traffic, morning commuters were advised to use alternate routes if possible. Various reports relayed the frustrations felt by drivers, particularly those reliant on the motorways to reach work or school.
Despite the incident clearing, many felt the aftershocks of the traffic backup. People needing to travel faced added pressures, with some school buses reporting delays due to the effects of the accident, complicting the transportation across the region.
Weather conditions on this day included severe winds reaching up to 57 mph, which compounded the difficulties faced by drivers and led to additional warnings from local agencies to proceed with caution. Motorists are advised to stay alert and flexible with their plans, as storms could affect travel times and safety.
Overall, the M66 police incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictabilities of rush hour travel, and the need for updates on travel disruptions. Those who plan to be on the roads during peak times should always remain prepared for sudden traffic shifts and incidents, keeping safety as the utmost priority.
