Why the M60 needed to be closed for 30 hours after horror nine-vehicle crash

Three HGVs, two vans and four cars were obliterated in the major collision

06:27, 09 Jul 2025Updated 06:59, 09 Jul 2025

Three HGVs, two vans and four cars were obliterated in the major collisionThree HGVs, two vans and four cars were obliterated in the major collision(Image: Submitted)

Part of the M60 was fully closed for 30 hours after a horror crash involving three lorries near Stockport[1] on Monday morning (July 7) - with National Highways now explaining the reason for the lengthy delay.

Emergency services first descended on the motorway at junction 27 in Portwood, Stockport[2], at 11.26am after the major collision involving three lorries, two vans and four cars.

One HGV involved smashed through the central reservation, with another shedding beer barrels. Cars were written off as debris and oil exploded over the carriageway.

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A full closure was initially put in place, with National Highways officers, police, fire crews and paramedics closing the motorway in both directions, with major delays and congestion spilling out into nearby Stockport and Tameside[4].

The road block on both sides remained in place for 26 hours, until around 1.45pm on Tuesday (July 8) when highways officers were finally able to reopen the anticlockwise carriageway, with one lane closed due to barrier damage.

Article continues belowThe extent of the damage forced the motorway to be closed for 30 hoursThe extent of the damage forced the motorway to be closed for 30 hours(Image: National Highways)

Then after around 30 hours, the clockwise carriageway then fully reopened to traffic, with miles of delays taking some time to clear. A closure of two lanes on both sides was also put in place[5] overnight, into Wednesday (July 9) for further repairs to be carried out.

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National Highways has now revealed the reason behind why the closure was in place for such a length of time, and explained the damage caused by the major collision.

Details surrounding the 'complex' operation of carriageway resurfacing and repair work was revealed. A large section of the central reservation barrier also needed to be replaced along with damaged caused to a bridge parapet repaired.

The carriageways in both directions also needed full resurfacing following a large diesel spillage, and lampposts damaged in the collision also had to be isolated from the electricity supply and removed.

"A lengthy clear-up and repair operation has continued overnight and today (July 8) with National Highways working hard to reopen the motorway in both directions," a National Highways statement issued on Tuesday read.

Three HGVs were involved Three HGVs were involved (Image: Submitted)

"Significant damage was caused in the collision and complex infrastructure repairs have been required, including replacing a large section of central reservation barrier and undertaking repairs to a damaged bridge parapet.

"Both carriageways needed resurfacing following a large diesel spillage across all lanes.

Lampposts damaged in the collision also needed to be isolated from the electricity supply and removed.

"As these repairs are steadily completed it has been possible to reopen two lanes of the M60[7] anticlockwise between Junction 1 (Stockport) and Junction 25 (Bredbury). Lane 3 of 3 will remain closed for safety reasons as further repairs continue."

No serious injuries were reported in the incident, with three people taken to Stepping Hill Hospital as a precaution for minor injuries.

Greater Manchester Police[8] are now appealing for dashcam footage and witness accounts of the incident, which was first reported at around 11.26am on Monday (July 7).

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References

  1. ^ a horror crash involving three lorries near Stockport (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  2. ^ Stockport (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  3. ^ here (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  4. ^ Tameside (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  5. ^ A closure of two lanes on both sides was also put in place (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  6. ^ HERE (chat.whatsapp.com)
  7. ^ M60 (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  8. ^ Greater Manchester Police (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  9. ^ by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  10. ^ sign up for that here. (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  11. ^ Click here (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  12. ^ Coronation Street (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  13. ^ downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  14. ^ [email protected] (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)