M62 Reopens After Serious Multi Vehicle Collision in Greater Manchester

Motorists faced lengthy delays on the M62 in Greater Manchester on Sunday morning after a serious collision involving several vehicles forced the westbound carriageway to close overnight. Greater Manchester Police and National Highways traffic officers attended the scene between junctions 22 at Denshaw and 21 at Rochdale, where debris had to be cleared and police investigations were conducted.

The westbound carriageway reopened at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 11, according to Manchester Evening News. Despite the reopening, traffic queues extended for approximately two miles while investigators completed their work.

National Highways said the collision required a prolonged response because vehicles needed to be recovered and substantial debris remained on the road. The closure continued into Sunday morning, disrupting westbound journeys through the area.

In its statement, National Highways explained the circumstances surrounding the closure and the work required before traffic could resume.

"The M62 westbound is closed in Greater Manchester, between J22 (Denshaw) and J21 (Rochdale) due to a serious collision involving several vehicles. Greater Manchester Police and National Highways Traffic Officers are on scene. There is currently a large amount of debris in the carriageway which will need to be cleared once vehicles have been recovered.

Police investigations remain ongoing." National Highways said.

Traffic information provider Inrix also reported restrictions caused by the collision investigation. The service identified the affected stretch as the westbound carriageway between junction 22 at Rishworth Moor and junction 21 at Sir Isaac Newton Way, Milnrow.

Inrix described the disruption in its traffic update.

"M62 Westbound closed due to accident investigation work between J22 A672 (Rishworth Moor) and J21 A6193 Sir Isaac Newton Way (Milnrow). Following a serious multi-vehicle accident on Saturday night." Inrix said.

Westbound drivers were directed away from the motorway at junction 22 and advised to follow a diversion via the A672, A62 and A627 before rejoining the M62 at junction 20, Thornham Island. The route was intended to bypass the closed section while recovery and investigative operations continued.

The incident followed another collision on a separate section of the M62 two days earlier. On Friday, October 9, a crash involving several vehicles, including an overturned car, closed the eastbound carriageway between junctions 22 and 24 near Huddersfield in West Yorkshire.

According to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, nine people were involved in that collision, and five received medical attention from ambulance crews. The closure began shortly before 5 a.m., and National Highways later confirmed that all three eastbound lanes had reopened, although delays remained between junctions 21 and 22.

National Highways initially reported that the overturned vehicle had forced the eastbound closure, while Yorkshire Ambulance Service attended the scene and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was dispatched. A subsequent update said preparations were underway to reopen the third lane and warned that delays on the approach had reached at least 30 minutes.