Motorists around Oldham were hit by heavy disruption on Saturday after a police-led incident closed the M60 between J22 (Oldham) and J23 (Ashton-under-Lyne). The carriageway was held for some time, with authorities later confirming the situation had been dealt with and the road reopened.
What happened
Greater Manchester Police led the response at the scene. National Highways and traffic officers assisted by helping to release vehicles that had become trapped inside the closure. At the height of the disruption drivers faced roughly 45 minutes of delay and up to three miles of congestion on the approaches.
- Location: M60 between J22 and J23 (Oldham — Ashton-under-Lyne)
- Delay: Approximately 45 minutes reported
- Congestion: Around three miles on the approach
How traffic was managed
Police turned traffic from the rear of the queue to begin releasing vehicles caught within the closure. National Highways' regional team tweeted that traffic officers were assisting the force on the ground.
"Concern for welfare"
Greater Manchester Police described the incident as a "concern for welfare" matter. The force later stated the incident had been resolved and the motorway reopened.
| Time (BST) | Event |
|---|---|
| 12:37 | M60 closed between J22 and J23 |
| 12:46 | Police start releasing traffic |
| 12:53 | M60 reopened |
Local impact
The temporary closure affected commuters and drivers using the M60 orbital route around Greater Manchester, with knock-on delays on local roads as vehicles rejoined the network. Road users planning journeys that passed through the affected section were advised to allow extra time, follow police directions and check live traffic updates.
While the motorway is open again, even short closures on this stretch can cause widespread hold-ups because it is a key artery for traffic around Oldham and neighbouring towns. Motorists are reminded that when officers direct traffic to turn or be released from a queue, they should comply promptly to help clear any remaining congestion.
