Drivers facing 10-mile queues after serious crash on motorway

Drivers have been warned of ‘long delays’ after a fatal crash last night led to the M62 motorway being closed westbound.

The air ambulance was sent to the busy road after the accident at around 11.45pm near Junction 19 in Heywood, north of Manchester.

Traffic was at a standstill immediately following the incident, which involved ‘a serious collision and subsequent vehicle fire’.

An Audi is understood to have come off the carriageway and crashed into a bridge, and police requested that a section of the road remain closed so they could carry out investigations.

After they finish this, the road surface and bridge still need to be assessed for damage before the road can be reopened. 

A diversion is in place via slip roads, but anyone in the area has been warned of traffic jams for ten miles and delays of over an hour and a half, with queues reaching back as far as junction 21 at Milnrow.

The stretch of road at Junction 20 has reopened after an initial closure, but the westbound carriageway is still completely closed at Junction 19 with drivers directed off at the slip road.

Early this morning, National Highways said: ‘North West Motorway Police have nearly completed recovery and contractors are standing by for the clean up and repair operation that will likely extend into the morning peak.’

The latest update came at 7.48am: ‘Please be aware of long delays on the #M62 westbound within J19 #Heywood following a serious collision and fire overnight.

‘There are 10 miles congestion causing delays of over 90 mins above normal travel time.’

North West Motorways Police said at 7.45am: ‘As you have heard from Highways, the M62 west bound carriageway between J20 and J19 is closed due to a Police incident.

‘We will keep you updated regarding this closure. If out and about take care of yourselves.’

In an alert on the situation, National Highways added: ‘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.’

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