Highways England looks to fix M60 'missing link'

25/06/2020 | CHRIS AMES

The only motorway in England which drivers need to leave to continue their journey on the same motorway could be about to get its missing link in the form of a redesigned interchange.

Currently, drivers travelling eastbound on the M60 at junction 18 near Prestwich, known locally as Simister Island, can find themselves on the M62 on their way to Leeds unless they use a roundabout to reach the southbound section of the M60.

The anomaly was created when the M60 was formed 20 years ago, connecting several existing motorways with a new stretch of motorway to form a 36-mile ring road around Manchester.

Highways England has shortlisted two options that it says performed the best against the project objectives – the ‘Northern Loop’ and ‘Inner Links options.

The scheme page for the works, which are in the second Road Investment Strategy (2020-25) gives the cost in a range from £66m to £338m.

The hard shoulder could also be converted to a permanent extra lane along the mile-long stretch of the M60 between junctions 17 and 18, providing five lanes in both directions.

Chief executive Jim O’Sullivan said: ‘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.’

Peter Molyneux, major roads director at Transport for the North, said: Simister Island is a well-known anomaly in the area which causes delay and disruption for thousands of vehicles every day.

‘It is included in our Northern Infrastructure Pipeline as a vital scheme for improving road connections in the North West, and on completion the upgrade will better serve local traffic and improve reliability for east-west journeys across our region.

‘This consultation is welcome news as the next stage in progressing this scheme and we urge everyone to give their views.’

Highways England is changing the way it carries out consultations during the Covid-19 pandemic, and is no longer holding face-to-face public events. Instead it will arrange a series of ‘telephone and online chats’, where people will be able to speak directly to a member of the project team.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Senior Transport Planner

£47,532 - £50,574
Royal Greenwich is a borough synonymous with first class modern services Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £28,797 - £30,708 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Waste Recycling Operative

£25,584 to £27,269, Grade 5
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Waste Recycling Operative. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bulky Operative

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent.
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Bulky Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District Council

£30000 - £34000 per annum
Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District CouncilBraintree District CouncilPermanent, Full Time£30,313 to £34,612 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Senior Integrated Transport Officer

£34,324 - £37,529
Are you an experienced transport planning professional ready to influence strategic policy and drive real change Matlock, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Cleansing Operative

£25,584.00 to £27,269.00, Grade 5
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Gully Operative

£25,584.00 to £27,269.00, Grade 5
Are you a hard-working looking for career in highway maintenance? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay award pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge and related construction and reconstruction Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Highways Policy and Procedures Officer - WMF3011e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is an exciting opportunity to support the Asset Manager in developing policies and procedures Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF3013e

£27,711 -£28,624
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW