Major M62 scheme AXED on 'cost grounds'

An engineering scheme to install concrete central reservation barriers along a 19-mile stretch of the M62 motorway has been scrapped, reportedly on cost grounds.

National Highways said the planned 'barrier upgrade' between junction 20 at Thornham Island for Rochdale and Oldham and junction 25 for Brighouse, in West Yorkshire, has been cancelled after a 'further appraisal of the project'.

The route runs through the Pennines over Saddleworth Moor and features the highest point on a motorway in England, at Windy Hill near Denshaw, Oldham.

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The plan was to replace the current steel central reservation barrier with a continuous concrete barrier along the entire route. It's steel all the way through the stretch and will remain so unless new plans are unveiled in the future.

Making the announcement, National Highways said safety was its 'top priority' and 'future options' for the stretch of the M62 would be considered.

It's understood a degree of preparatory work had already started, although the announcement will mean no roadworks on the key motorway route into Yorkshire and beyond from Greater Manchester.

The section of motorway - which often leaves motorists battling driving rain and high winds - was supposed to become a 'smart motorway'.

But the Government announced last month that plans for all new smart motorways would be cancelled in recognition of the 'lack of public confidence felt by drivers and cost pressures'.

That followed an announcement in January last year to pause the rollout of new, all-lane running smart motorways yet to start construction. The M62 junction 20 to 25 upgrade is one of the smart motorway schemes now cancelled.

The Government