Imagine being stuck in a sea of red brake lights, with no end in sight—that's the reality for drivers on the M62 this morning. A massive traffic halt has brought the motorway to a standstill, all thanks to a vehicle fire that's causing delays and frustration for commuters. But here's where it gets even more chaotic: the eastbound stretch between junction 18 for Simister Island and junction 19 for Heywood is completely gridlocked, with no vehicles moving. According to traffic alert service Inrix, the scene is dominated by a blazing vehicle, sparking a chain reaction of congestion that's backing up all the way to junction 17 on the M60 for Prestwich. And this is the part most people miss—the delays are not just minutes, but at least 45 minutes long, making this morning's commute a test of patience for many.
As of now, two lanes remain closed, with emergency services working tirelessly to manage the situation. Motorway cameras capture the extent of the chaos, showing queues stretching back to junction 15 on the M60. National Highways confirmed the hold-up is due to a HGV fire, a detail that might spark debate: Are our motorways equipped to handle such emergencies efficiently? While traffic has been partially released, the backlog is far from cleared. Fire engines are on the scene, but the question lingers—could more have been done to prevent such severe delays? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
For those following this live, here’s a quick rundown of the key events: At 06:48, two lanes were shut, allowing some traffic to pass, but delays persisted. By 07:03, Ashlie Blakey reported queues stretching further back, highlighting the growing frustration among drivers. Earlier, at 06:30, National Highways confirmed delays of at least 30 minutes, a figure that has since climbed. Is this an isolated incident, or a symptom of a larger issue with motorway management? Let us know what you think. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
