Major M62 update as latest pictures show bridge being demolished

The M62 motorway near Rochdale has been fully reopened after demolition works were carried out on a bridge over the weekend.

For the first time in recent memory the stretch of the motorway, between junction 18 and junction 20, was fully closed off for the entire weekend as the major works were carried out. Pictures taken on Saturday showed the usually bustling motorway eerily quiet as a key stage in the £22 million project by Network Rail took place.

Work was done over the weekend to dismantle the old Castleton bridge and take it away. It was centred at a site just beyond Manchester Golf Club in Middleton, next to the motorway.

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Posting on X this morning, National Highways confirmed the stretch of the M62 had been reopened. It was opened at around 4.45am.

Drivers were thanked for their patience over the weekend. National Highways said: "All works have been completed on the @networkrail 'Castleton Bridge replacement' weekend closure.

"The #M62 is now fully reopen in both directions between J18 (#M60) and J20 (#A627M #Rochdale). Many thanks for your patience and have a safe journey."

Network Rail Manchester also posted on X just before 7am, writing: "The M62 reopened this morning! Thank you for your patience during our weekend closure.

"We’ll be back again on Friday 20 Sept to install the new bridge. The railway remains closed until 25 Sept."

A second weekend closure, from 9pm on Friday 20 September to 6am on Monday 23 September, will also be taking place later this month. This will allow Network Rail to install a new bridge over the motorway.

The railway will be closed from September 6 until the early morning of September 25 between