Key Points
- The lorry crossed from the M60 central reservation between Junction 15, the point where the M60 links up with the M61, Worsley and Swinton, Greater Manchester.
- The clockwise carriageway remained closed between Junction 13 (Worsley) and Junction 15 due to the clean-up of a massive fuel spill.
- The other direction had been closed between Junctions 15 and 14, but it had later reopened with lanes 1 and 2 being operational and lane 3 remaining closed.
- No one was injured and no arrests were made according to the Greater Manchester Police.
- National Highways revealed that the safety barriers on the central reservation were highly damaged with an unknown time of clearance.
- Drivers were advised of about an hour of congestion caused by the spill while the earlier queue was about seven miles (11 km).
- An earlier unrelated accident on the other direction of travel caused a temporary closure of the road at about 06:50 GMT, and all lanes have since been reopened within half an hour.
- The diversion for clockwise direction included Junction 13, A575 Walkden Road, and A580 East Lancashire Road.
Manchester Live Traffic & Travel (Manchester Mirror) November 12, 2026 — A serious lorry crash forced the closure of part of the M60 in both directions on Thursday morning, leaving motorists facing long delays as emergency services dealt with a large fuel spill and damaged safety barriers.
As reported by Haider Saleem of BBC News, the incident happened shortly before 07:30 GMT at Junction 15, where the M60 intersects with the M61 near Swinton. National Highways said the heavy goods vehicle crossed the central reservation and collided with the safety barriers, causing fuel to leak onto the carriageway.
Greater Manchester Police said no one was injured in the crash. The force also said no arrests had been made in connection with the incident.
The clockwise carriageway was shut between Junction 13 at Worsley and Junction 15 near the M61. National Highways said the closure remained in place while crews cleared a large fuel spill and assessed the damage.
How severe were the traffic delays?
The disruption caused substantial congestion across the surrounding road network. National Highways earlier reported queues stretching up to seven miles (11 km), while motorists were advised to allow about an hour for additional journey time.
As reported by The Bolton News, the closure affected traffic around Worsley and towards Bolton, with congestion also building on nearby roads as drivers sought alternative routes.
National Highways said its teams would assess the barrier damage and fuel spill once recovery work had been completed. It added: “There is no indication how long this will take at this moment.”
Which lanes reopened on the M60?
The anticlockwise carriageway, which had been closed between Junctions 15 and 14, was later partially reopened. National Highways said lanes one and two were open, while lane three remained closed because of damage to the central reservation barriers.
The clockwise closure, however, continued between Junctions 13 and 15. The Bolton News reported that the lorry had crossed from the anticlockwise to the clockwise carriageway, leading to the full closure of that section.
National Highways said no vehicles were trapped within the closed sections. The closures were put in place at about 07:35 GMT.
What diversion is in place for drivers?
Drivers travelling clockwise were advised to follow the solid diamond diversion symbol. According to The Bolton News, the route directed motorists to leave the M60 at Junction 13, take the second exit at the roundabout onto the A575 Walkden Road northbound, then turn right at the A580 junction onto the A580 East Lancashire Road eastbound.
From there, drivers were advised to continue towards the M60 and rejoin the motorway at Junction 15. National Highways said anyone affected by the closure should allow extra journey time.
Was there another crash before the lorry incident?
Yes. The Bolton News reported that an earlier, unrelated collision on the anticlockwise carriageway near Junction 15 caused traffic to be temporarily held shortly before 07:00 GMT.
National Highways reported delays of up to 45 minutes and around five miles of congestion during that earlier incident. By 07:25 GMT, all lanes had reopened and the vehicles involved had been moved to the hard shoulder to await recovery.
The lorry crash followed shortly afterwards in a similar area of the motorway. The Bolton News reported that the vehicle crossed the barrier into the opposite carriageway, triggering the more serious closure and fuel-spill response.
What did emergency services say?
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that emergency services attended the scene. National Highways Traffic Officers were also present to assist with traffic management.
Hello! Radio reported that National Highways North-West said the crash had caused significant barrier damage and a fuel spill, with emergency services at the scene. The outlet also reported that traffic had initially been held on the anticlockwise carriageway within the junction following the crash.
The police statement that no injuries were reported was also carried by The Bolton News, which said no arrests had been made.
Background of the development
The M60 is a major orbital motorway around Greater Manchester, and Junction 15 is a key connection with the M61, which carries traffic towards Bolton and the north-west. The junction’s location makes it a significant route for commuters, freight vehicles and drivers travelling between Manchester, Bolton and surrounding areas.
The incident occurred during the morning rush hour, when traffic volumes are typically high. The combination of a cross-carriageway collision, fuel spillage and barrier damage required recovery crews, police and National Highways officers to close lanes and manage the scene before reopening the road safely.
An earlier collision in the same area added to the pressure on the network. Although that incident was cleared before the lorry crash, it contributed to early congestion and meant drivers were already facing disruption when the more serious closure began.
Prediction: How this may affect drivers
For commuters travelling between Worsley, Swinton, Bolton and Manchester, the closure is likely to mean longer journeys, congestion on diversion routes and uncertainty around arrival times. Drivers using the M60 clockwise between Junctions 13 and 15 should expect continued disruption until the fuel spill has been cleared and the damaged barriers have been assessed.
Motorists planning to use the M61 or surrounding local roads may also face slower journeys as diverted traffic moves onto alternative routes. Those travelling later in the day should check live traffic updates before setting out, allow additional time and follow official diversion signs rather than relying on satellite-navigation shortcuts through residential areas.
For businesses and delivery services, the disruption could affect scheduled collections, deliveries and staff travel. The full impact will depend on how long the clockwise closure remains in place and how quickly National Highways can complete the recovery, spill clearance and barrier-assessment work.
