Drivers have been warned to "expect delays" this afternoon after a multi-vehicle collision has caused a major motorway to close its lanes, with traffic operating at 8mph.
The M62 motorway has been closed westbound between Junction 19 near Heywood and Junction 18, with National Highways unable to indicate a recovery time.
Emergency services are currently at the scene working to manage the incident, which was reported earlier today.
The collision, involving multiple vehicles, has resulted in a full carriageway closure on this busy section of the motorway network and comes during a crucial time when millions of drivers will be hitting the road for the Bank Holiday weekend.
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The collision involved multiple vehicles and was reported earlier today
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
National Highways Traffic Officers are currently on site assisting emergency services with traffic management operations.
The agency has warned that the closure is expected to cause significant delays for westbound drivers on this key trans-Pennine route.
Motorists currently on the M62 approaching Junction 19 are now being diverted off the motorway to follow an alternative route.
The diversion route directs motorists to exit the M62 at Junction 19 and take the third exit at the roundabout onto the A6045 northbound Middleton Road for 1.1km.
Drivers have been urged to follow the diversion route in place
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
At the A6045/Coronation Avenue Roundabout, drivers should take the first exit onto Coronation Avenue westbound and follow for 0.3km.
Motorists should then turn left onto A6045 eastbound Manchester Road for 5km, before turning right onto the A576 eastbound for 0.5km.
At the A576/M60 Junction 19 roundabout, drivers need to take the third exit onto the M60 anti-clockwise for 2.2km before re-joining the M62 westbound at Junction 18.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson told GB News: "We’re currently responding to this incident, looks like two lorries have collided and there’s potentially life-threatening injuries to one of the drivers, but we don’t know more than that at this stage."
National Highways said: "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."
Drivers have also been advised to check traffic conditions before setting out on journeys in the affected area. Normal traffic conditions are expected to return between 4.45pm and 5pm later today.
According to the RAC, junctions 18 and 19 between Manchester and West Yorkshire are considered one of the most congested areas in the UK.
The RAC said: "If you drive regularly on this motorway, you’ll already know that M62 traffic can get extremely busy, particularly in certain areas. Plan your journey with M62 traffic updates in mind to be prepared for congestion and tailbacks, and avoid these if possible."
The road is expected to clear by 5pm later today
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
The M62 spans 107 miles with the route providing access to other major motorways such as the M57, M6, M60, M602, M66, M606, M621, M1 and M18.
