UK Traffic Nightmare: M61 Southbound Shutdown Triggers Massive Delays and M60 Chaos – Avoid the Mayhem!

Published on December 6, 2025

A crash earlier this afternoon on the M61 motorway has forced the closure of two southbound lanes between junction 2 and junction 1, close to the M60 motorway Swinton Interchange. According to traffic monitoring service INRIX, the closures have caused traffic to build rapidly, with long queues forming all the way up to the affected section and spill‑back affecting the M60 slip‑roads as well as main carriageways.

At present, motorists travelling southbound are facing severe delays. The disruption comes at a time when traffic volumes are elevated, exacerbating gridlock around the busy interchange.

Why the M61 Matters — And Why Disruption Spreads Quickly

The M61 is a key artery connecting Greater Manchester to the north‑west of England, feeding traffic towards Preston, Lancashire, and beyond via the M6. Its southern end ties directly into the M60 — the orbital motorway around Manchester — meaning any incident between junctions 2 and 1 impacts not just long‑distance travellers but also local commuter traffic.

Because of this interconnectedness, a closure on the M61 can quickly ripple across the network. In the current incident, even vehicles that were not directly travelling along the M61 are now caught in heavy congestion near the slip‑roads feeding onto and off the M60.

How UK Motorway Safety Rules Shape the Response

Under the regulations outlined in the national driving guidelines (the The Highway Code), motorists must not ignore lane closure signs or overtake through closed or red‑X lanes, and using hard shoulders is strictly prohibited unless instructed by authorised personnel.

Once crash or incident‑related lane closures are activated, the national motorway operator — National Highways — along with traffic officers and emergency services, typically aims to clear blockages quickly. The operator’s internal performance target is to resolve at least 85 % of motorway incidents within one hour to minimise disruption.

Nevertheless, until recovery and clearance are complete, drivers face delays, risk of secondary collisions, and high congestion — as is the case now on the M61 southbound.

What Motorists Should Do: Plan, Divert, or Delay

Given the severity of the backlog, drivers are advised to check live traffic updates before travel and consider alternative routes or delaying non‑essential journeys.

Where diversion routes are implemented, they usually follow pre‑defined off‑network tactical diversion paths, marked by official diversion symbols — solid or hollow geometric shapes — to guide traffic around the closure before rejoining the motorway beyond the incident.

If diverting, motorists must follow all posted signs carefully. The Highway Code prohibits crossing solid lane‑markings or using hard shoulders except when explicitly directed by authorities.

Historical Context: M61 Disruptions and Accident Hotspots

This is not the first time the M61 has seen serious incidents. Past collisions have caused closures and major delays — including a notable event in 2018 which shut the motorway between junctions 6 and 8 for several hours.

Certain sections of the M61 — especially near its southern end, junctions 1 and 2 — are known to suffer from high traffic volume and are considered accident‑prone zones. Efforts by highway authorities have included additional signage and safety measures, yet disruption remains possible whenever incidents occur.

Impact on Commuters, Freight, and Local Traffic

The current lane closure and congestion have multiple implications:

• Commuters: People travelling between Manchester and surrounding towns may experience substantial delays.
• Freight and logistics operators: Goods transport via M61 — often connecting M60, M6 and northern routes — will be delayed, potentially affecting delivery schedules.
• Local traffic: Slip‑road congestion at the M60 interchange may spill into adjoining local roads as drivers seek alternative shortcuts, increasing pressure on local streets and communities.
• Emergency response and road safety teams: The incident demands coordinated action from traffic officers, recovery teams, and emergency services to clear the crash site and restore the motorway — all while managing traffic safety and preventing further incidents.

What’s Next: Clearing the Crash and Restoring Flow

Given standard protocols by National Highways and associated traffic teams, efforts to reopen the closed lanes and clear the crash site should begin shortly. The goal is to return the motorway to full capacity — though exact timing depends on the severity of the incident and any required investigations. Historically, most motorway incidents are cleared within an hour under ideal conditions.

Once the lanes reopen, traffic flow will gradually improve, but residual delays can persist as queued vehicles exit the affected stretch. Travel‑time buffers and alternate route planning will remain advisable until normal traffic conditions resume.

Takeaway: Expect Delays, Follow Diversions, Stay Safe

The M61 southbound closure between junctions 2 and 1 is causing significant disruption today. Given how quickly motorway incidents can cascade into wider network congestion, drivers should avoid the affected stretch if possible, monitor live traffic data, obey all highway signage, and plan extra journey time.

Authorities responsible for motorway safety and management aim to clear incidents rapidly — but until then, patience and caution remain the best allies on the road.