M60’s ‘missing link’ could soon be on way
PLAN TO END DELAYS AT SIMISTER ISLAND 20 YEARS AFTER MOTORWAY WAS BUILT
THE M60’s ‘missing link’ could soon be built – bringing to an end two decades of delays.
A new loop at junction 18 near Prestwich – known as Simister Island – will take motorists from eastbound to southbound without having to leave the motorway.
The M60 is the only motorway in England where drivers have to come off and then rejoin to continue their journey. Drivers have to get off at Simister and negotiate a busy roundabout before rejoining the M60 to head towards Heaton Park, Blackley, Chadderton and Tameside.
If motorists miss the roundabout they soon find themselves on the M62 heading to Leeds.
The new stretch of road could cost up to £340m, depending on which option is chosen. Work could start by 2024 ahead of an opening in 2026.
The M60 was built 20 years ago, connecting several existing motorways with a new stretch to form a 36-mile ring road around Manchester.
Highways England is now developing plans to cut journey times for the 90,000 drivers who use the junction every day.
Drivers, residents and business owners will be able to have their say on the proposals in an eight-week public consultation launched yesterday.
Jim O’Sullivan, Highways England’s chief executive, said: “We want to provide quicker and more reliable journeys for drivers across the North. Simister Island is one of England’s busiest motorway junctions, and the improvements we’re planning will make it easier for people travelling between the M60, M62 and M66. We now need your views to help make that much-needed motorway upgrade a reality.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “I welcome this vital improvement which has the potential to cut journey times, improve reliability and boost businesses in the North.”
Highways England is encouraging as many people as possible to share their views in the pubic consultation to help develop the designs for the motorway upgrade.
Other proposals being put forward include creating a two-lane link road for drivers travelling from the northbound to the westbound stretches of the M60 at Simister Island, as well as a new link road from the eastbound M60 on to the northbound M66.
The hard shoulder could also be converted to a permanent extra lane along the mile between junctions 17 and 18 to improve the flow of traffic, providing five lanes in both directions.
Highways England will arrange a series of telephone and online chats, where people will be able to speak directly to a member of the project team. Almost 10,000 consultation brochures are being posted to homes and businesses near Simister Island. The project team will be available to answer your calls on 141 0117 2444 061 every Tuesday for four weeks from Tuesday, June 30 between 11am and 7pm, as well as on Saturday, July 11 and Saturday, July 18 during the same times. Using 141 will withhold your phone number. The online chats will take place on the project web page between 10am and 5pm on Thursday, July 9, and Thursday, July 16.
A preferred option for the scheme is due to be announced in the winter once the consultation responses have been considered and, if the project is approved by the government, construction work could start by 2024.
● You can find out more about the proposals and complete a consultation response form at www.highwaysengland. co.uk/m60-j18-simister-island.