M60 queues after a six-car crash caused widespread disruption across Greater Manchester today after traffic was stopped during the morning rush hour on the M60 clockwise carriageway, according to local media reports. The collision, reported shortly after 08:00 GMT on Tuesday, 4 February, occurred between junction 16 (Pendlebury/Clifton) and junction 17 (Prestwich), leading to long queues, lane closures and significant knock-on delays on surrounding routes including the M62 and M61. Emergency services attended the scene, and traffic was gradually released later in the morning, with all lanes reopening before midday and conditions largely returning to normal by early afternoon. This is reported by The WP Times, citing local media.
Incident details
The crash involved six vehicles and occurred in the outside lane of the M60 clockwise. Traffic was temporarily held to allow emergency services safe access, significantly reducing capacity on one of the busiest sections of the Manchester orbital motorway at peak commuter time. Greater Manchester Police confirmed that officers attended the scene alongside fire and ambulance crews. No arrests were made, and there were no confirmed reports of serious or life-threatening injuries.
Emergency response and lane management
Firefighters and paramedics remained on site while damaged vehicles were recovered and debris cleared from the carriageway. At least one lane remained closed for over an hour, with traffic intermittently stopped to support recovery operations. In an update issued earlier in the morning, National Highways warned drivers of delays of more than 30 minutes, with congestion extending for approximately four miles at its peak.
Extent of disruption
Queues on the M60 clockwise stretched back to junction 12 at the M602, according to traffic monitoring data. Drivers also experienced delays on the opposite carriageway as vehicles slowed past the incident scene. The disruption spread well beyond the immediate area, affecting:
- M62 westbound traffic approaching junction 19
- M62 eastbound approaching the M60 interchange
- M61 southbound traffic heading towards Manchester
- M60 anticlockwise near Simister Island and Heaton Park
The scale of the delays highlighted the sensitivity of the M60 network to incidents during peak travel periods.
Traffic resumes and current conditions
Traffic began moving again shortly after 09:30 GMT, with all lanes fully reopened by 09:55 GMT. Residual congestion continued into the late morning but eased steadily. As of 14:10 GMT, traffic conditions on the affected stretch of the M60 and surrounding routes have largely returned to normal, with no further restrictions in place. Drivers are advised to continue checking live traffic updates, particularly during peak hours, and to allow extra time when incidents are reported. Authorities also remind motorists to reduce speed near collision scenes and follow instructions from traffic officers to ensure safety for emergency crews and other road users.
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