Large areas of north Manchester and Prestwich were gridlocked earlier this week by a motorway closure which pushed dozens of motorists onto residential roads, resulting in ‘horrendous’ bottlenecks.

Residents of Heaton Park and Prestwich told the Manchester Evening News they saw their journey times more than double – and in some cases triple – in the wake of the M60 closure, which National Highways said allowed the removal of five overhead gantries as part of the ongoing Simister Island upgrade.

The stretch of motorway, estimated to carry 90,000 vehicles every day, is being widened, with works underway to add a new loop lane designed to reduce the number of cars using a traffic-controlled roundabout to travel between the M60, M62 and M66.

It’s hoped that the works, estimated to be completed by 2029 and cost almost £300 million, will reduce congestion and travel times at this notorious traffic hotspot. Another weekend closure is due between Saturday 10 October and Monday 12 October.

All motorway traffic travelling in both directions had been forced to leave the motorway and divert via Prestwich Village, past Heaton Park and then up Middleton Road to get back onto the M60.

Nicola Eastwell, National Highways project manager, said: “The M60 Simister Island scheme will create extra capacity, improve traffic flows and support future housing, employment and economic growth across the city region.

“The removal of these gantries is an important next step in delivering the scheme. We understand the inconvenience this work will cause and would like to thank the local community, including road users, for their continued support and patience while we complete this work.”

(Picture: National Highways)