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

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.

Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here[3]

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.

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.

Join our Traffic and Travel WhatsApp group HERE[6]

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.

"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).

---

Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it.

That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us.

Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News.[9]

And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North.

You can also sign up for that here.[10]

You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here[11] to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street[12].

If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here,[13] and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it.

And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you.

Email us on [email protected][14] or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.

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)