M62 closed LIVE: Huge queues on diversion routes as motorway shut for weekend

Heavy traffic is building as drivers seek to avoid closures on the M62 this weekend.

A major railway replacement project is being carried out on the motorway near Rochdale, with a large section of both carriageways being closed.

The closures are in force on the eastbound carriageway from junction 18 at Simister Island, up to junction 20 at Rochdale.

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The westbound carriageway is closed between junction 19 at Heywood and junction 20 at Rochdale. Diversions have been put in place but there are reports of heavy traffic on surrounding routes.

The closures will be lifted at 6am on Monday. Network Rail is replacing a railway bridge which runs through Castleton, carrying trains over the M62 between Manchester and Rochdale.

With the road closed there are currently queues building on roads across the region including Broadway in Oldham, as drivers drivers around the closure.

Further updates will be posted in this blog.

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The traffic alters provider Inrix says the eastbound closure is causing congestion back to junction 15 of the M60 at Swinton Interchange, along the A58 past Heywood and other routes through Rochdale.

While the westbound closure is causing congestion to junction 21 at Milnrow, on the the A627(M) at junction 2 and on routes through Middleton and along the A663 past Shaw. Routes through Chadderton and Oldham are also affected.

Diversions are in place this weekend due to the closure.

Drivers coming off the eastbound carriageway at Simister Island are being told to travel to junction 21 of the M60 at Chadderton, before turning onto Broadway (the A663), and then northbound