Police are at the scene and the motorway is expected to remain shut for some time
Tom Burnett Content Editor
22:01, 01 Aug 2025
The M60 is shut(Image: National Highways )
Diversion routes are in place after the M60 was shut in Greater Manchester due to a ‘serious’ crash tonight (Friday, August 1).
Emergency services are at the scene and the motorway is shut to traffic in both directions between Junction 18 (Simister Island) and Junction 19.
The closure was first reported at around 9pm and is expected to remain in place for some time following the incident, which involved a motorcyclist.
A National Highways spokesperson said: “The M60 in Greater Manchester is closed in both directions between J18 (Simister Island) and J19 (near Middleton) due to a serious collision involving a motorcyclist.
Live updates: Live M60 traffic as ‘serious’ crash involving biker leaves motorway closed
“Please note, overnight roadworks has closed the anti-clockwise carriageway between J21 and J19. Therefore, the anti-clockwise carriageway is closed between J21 and J18.
“Greater Manchester Police are leading the response to the incident and it is expected the road will be closed for a protracted period.”
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M60 diversion routes:
National Highways has put the following diversion routes in place:
Road users travelling clockwise are advised to follow the solid diamond diversion symbol on road signs: Leave the M60 clockwise at J18 and travel anti-clockwise to J17. Exit at J17 and take the 1st exit on to the A56. At the A56/A6044 junction, turn left on to the A6044. At the junction with the A576, turn left on to the A576 and rejoin the M60 clockwise at J19.
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Anti-clockwise: follow the route marked with a hollow diamond symbol initially and then the solid square symbol and solid circle on local road signs: Leave M60 anti-clockwise at Jct 21 onto Semple Way. Turn left on to the A663 and then right on to the A6104. Travel on the A6104 (diversion route symbol changes to solid square). Continue on the A6104 and at the junction with the A576, turn left (diversion route symbol changes to solid circle). Turn right on to the A6044 towards Prestwich. At A6044/A56 junction, turn right on to the A56 northbound to rejoin the M60 J17 anti-clockwise