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M60 motorway (Great Britain)

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M60 shield
M60
Manchester Outer Ring Road
M60 at Cutler Hill, Failsworth.jpg
Looking south at Cutler Hill near Failsworth
Route information
Part of E20 and E22
Maintained by National Highways
Length36.1 mi (58.1 km)
7 miles (11 km) are concurrent with the M62 motorway
Existed1998–present
History
  • Opened: 1960 (as M62), 1971 (Middleton Link), 1974 (as M63)
  • Renumbered: 1998
  • Completed: 2000
Major junctions
Orbital around Manchester
Anti-clockwise endStockport
Major intersections
Clockwise endBredbury & Stockport
Location
CountryUnited Kingdom
CountiesGreater Manchester
Primary
destinations
Manchester, Stockport, Trafford Park, Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham
Road network
M58 M61

The M60 motorway, Manchester Ring Motorway or Manchester Outer Ring Road is an orbital motorway in North West England. Built over a 40-year period, it passes through all of Greater Manchester's metropolitan boroughs except for Wigan and Bolton. Most of Manchester is encompassed within the motorway, except for the southernmost part of the city (Wythenshawe and Manchester Airport) which is served by the M56.

The M60 is 36.1 miles (58.1 km) long and was renamed the M60 in 1998, with parts of the M62, M66 and all of the M63 being amalgamated into the new route, and the circle completed in 2000.[1] The road forms part of the unsigned Euroroutes E20 and E22 from junctions 12 to 18.

In 2008, the M60 was proposed as a cordon for congestion charging in Greater Manchester, although this was rejected in a referendum relating to the Greater Manchester Transport Innovation Fund.

History

[edit]

The M60 was developed by connecting and consolidating the existing motorway sections of the M63, M62, and an extended M66. It came into existence as the M60 in 1998, followed by the completion of the eastern side (junctions 19–23) opening in October 2000.[2]

The original plan called for a completely new motorway, but policy change led to the plan which created the current motorway. As soon as it opened, the motorway came close to its projected maximum volume on significant sections.

It is an orbital motorway, and in 2004, a section of the northern M60 was the UK's busiest stretch of road, with an average of 181,000 vehicles per day using the stretch between junctions 16 and 17. Usually, the western side of the M25 motorway holds that distinction, but the M25's figures at the time were lower than normal due to roadworks starting.[3]

In 2006,[4] the section between junctions 5 and 6 was widened from three to four lanes each way and the section between junctions 6 and 8 was widened from two to three lanes each way with an additional two-lane collector/distributor road on either side of the main carriageways. Access for junctions 6 to 8 is only from the collector/distributor road. Some of the junctions were extensively re-modelled. As part of the project, the A6144(M) motorway, which connected to the M60 at junction 8, was downgraded and lost its motorway status.

The Greater Manchester congestion charge which would have affected drivers only during peak times coming off the M60 towards Manchester was rejected by a referendum on 12 December 2008.

Work to upgrade two sections of the M60 to a managed motorway system had been planned to commence in 2013. This would have included a new lane from junction 12 to 15 and a new lane from junction 8 to 12 near the Trafford Centre.[5][6] Both these projects were subsequently cancelled in favour of a new project that includes speed cameras on this section but no additional lane or hard-shoulder running. An 'environmental assessment' was cited as the reason an additional lane was not provided. A combined approach was initiated in 2014, comprising managed motorway system and lane gain scheme. Work commenced in July 2014, and the full stretch of smart motorway became fully operational on 31 July 2018.[7]

There are no motorway service areas on the M60. The closest service area is at Birch Services on the M62 heading eastwards.

M60 genealogy

[edit]
The M60 orbits the urban core of Greater Manchester, highlighted in red on the map
Timeline of M60 junction numbers
▲ Clockwise
1960 1968 1971 1974/5 1982 1989 1998 2000 Roads
× × 22 A62
21 (A663)
20 A664
5 19 A576
M68 M66 M60
18
4
18
4
18
4
18
18 M62 M66
M62 M60
17 17 A56
15 16 A666
14 15 M61
14A 14 A580
6 13 13 A575
M62 M60
12
6
12
1
12
1
12
1
12 M62 M602
M62 M63 M60
5 5 2 11 A57
4 4 3 10 B5214
3 3 4 9 A5081
2 2 5 B5213
6 8 A6144
1 1 7 7 A56
M62 M63 M60
× 8 6 A6144
9 5 A5103 (M56)
10 4 M56
3 A34
11 2 A560
× 12 1 A5145
13 27 A560
× 14 26 A560
M63 M60
15
12
25 A560
M66 M60
11 24 A57 (M67)
10 23 A635
× 22 A62
21 (A663)
20 A664
1960 1968 1971 1974/5 1982 1989 1998 2000 Roads
▼ Anti-clockwise
Key
× Motorway not open
Motorway open but no junction
Unnumbered junction

Legislation

[edit]
The M60 motorway as it passes beneath Stockport Viaduct

Each motorway in England requires that a statutory instrument be published, detailing the route of the road, before it can be built. The dates given on these statutory instruments relate to when the document was published, and not when the road was built. Provided below is an incomplete list of statutory instruments relating to the route of the M60.

  • Statutory Instrument 1988 No. 1708: M66 Motorway (Manchester Ring Road, Denton to Middleton Section) and Connecting Roads Scheme 1988 S.I. 1988/1708
  • Statutory Instrument 1988 No. 1728: M66 Motorway (Middleton to the Lancashire/Yorkshire Motorway (M62) Section) and Connecting Roads Scheme 1988 S.I. 1988/1728
  • Statutory Instrument 1993 No. 363: M66 Motorway (Manchester Outer Ring Road, Denton to Middleton Section) A663 Broadway All-Purpose Connecting Road Order 1993 S.I. 1993/363
  • Statutory Instrument 1993 No. 364: M66 Motorway (Manchester Outer Ring Road, Denton to Middleton Section) and Connecting Roads Scheme 1988 Amendment Scheme 1993 S.I. 1993/364
  • Statutory Instrument 1999 No. 2724: The M60 Motorway (Improvement Between Junctions 5 and 8) Connecting Roads Scheme 1999 S.I. 1999/2724
  • Statutory Instrument 2002 No. 2403: The M60 Motorway (Junction 25) (Speed Limit) Regulations 2002 S.I. 2002/2403

Junctions

[edit]

The junctions on the M60 are very closely spaced together, with an average distance of 1.3 miles (2.1 km) between junctions. The recommended junction spacing for motorways is every 10 to 12 miles (16 to 19 km).[citation needed] By comparison, the M6 motorway has an average distance of 5.3 miles (8.5 km) between junctions.

The entire length of the M60 lies within the ceremonial county of Greater Manchester.

Location mi km Junction Destinations Notes
Stockport 0 0 1[coord 1] A5145 - Stockport
Cheadle 1.5 2.4 2[coord 2] A560 - Cheadle No Eastbound entrance or Westbound exit
3[coord 3] A34 - Cheadle, Wilmslow No exits going Northbound or entrances from North
Gatley 4[coord 4] M56 - Chester, Warrington, Manchester Airport No exit Eastbound or entrance Westbound
Wythenshawe 4.5 7.3 5[coord 5] A5103 - Central Manchester, Didsbury, Chester, Warrington, Manchester Airport No exits North or entrances from South going East

No exits South or entrances from North going West
Sale 6.0 9.7 6[coord 6] A6144 - Sale
6.8 10.9 7[coord 7] A56 - Central Manchester, Stretford, Altrincham
7.5 12.0 8[coord 8] A6144 - Carrington
Urmston 9.3 15.0 9[coord 9] A6144 - Trafford Park, Trafford Centre
B5158 - Urmston
10.3 16.5 10[coord 10] B5158 - Trafford Park, Urmston
Eccles 11.4 18.4 11[coord 11] A57 - Eccles, Irlam
12.2 19.7 12[coord 12] M62 - Liverpool, Warrington
M602 - Central Manchester, Salford
Worsley 13.0 21.0 13[coord 13] A572 - Swinton
A575 - Worsley, Leigh A580
14.1 22.7 14[coord 14] A580 - St. Helens, Leigh Northbound entrance from East and Southbound exit going West only
15[coord 15] M61 - Preston, Wigan, Bolton
Clifton 16.3 26.2 16[coord 16] A666 - Salford, Kearsley No entrance Eastbound or exit Westbound
Whitefield 18.5 29.7 17[coord 17] A56 - Central Manchester, Prestwich, Whitefield
19.8 31.8 18[coord 18] M62 - Leeds, Huddersfield
M66 - Bury, Burnley, Blackburn
Middleton 21.0 33.8 19[coord 19] A576 - Central Manchester, Middleton
22.6 36.4 20[coord 20] A664 - Middleton, Blackley No Westbound exit or Eastbound entrance
Whitegate 24.7 39.8 21[coord 21] A663 - Central Manchester, Rochdale, Chadderton
Failsworth 26.3 42.3 22[coord 22] A62 - Central Manchester, Oldham No entrance North-Eastbound
Ashton under Lyne 28.6 46.0 23[coord 23] A635 - Ashton under Lyne
A6140 - Ashton under Lyne
Denton 30.6 49.3 24[coord 24] M67 - Hyde, Sheffield
A57 - Central Manchester, Denton
Stockport 25[coord 25] A560 - Bredbury no entrances to M60 South-Westbound
26[coord 26] A560 - Stockport No entrances or exits going East

No exits to A560 going east or exits from A560 going west
27[coord 27] A560 - Stockport No South-Westbound exit or North-Eastbound entrance
36.1 58.1 Motorway continues to junction 1
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
Coordinate list
  1. ^ 53°24′33″N 2°10′27″W / 53.4091°N 2.1742°W / 53.4091; -2.1742 (Junction 1 of M60)
  2. ^ 53°24′06″N 2°12′36″W / 53.4017°N 2.2100°W / 53.4017; -2.2100 (Junction 2 of M60)
  3. ^ 53°23′56″N 2°13′34″W / 53.3989°N 2.2262°W / 53.3989; -2.2262 (Junction 3 of M60)
  4. ^ 53°23′57″N 2°14′16″W / 53.3991°N 2.2377°W / 53.3991; -2.2377 (Junction 4 of M60)
  5. ^ 53°24′50″N 2°15′54″W / 53.4139°N 2.2649°W / 53.4139; -2.2649 (Junction 5 of M60)
  6. ^ 53°25′36″N 2°17′38″W / 53.4267°N 2.2939°W / 53.4267; -2.2939 (Junction 6 of M60)
  7. ^ 53°26′13″N 2°18′54″W / 53.4370°N 2.3151°W / 53.4370; -2.3151 (Junction 7 of M60)
  8. ^ 53°26′27″N 2°20′08″W / 53.4409°N 2.3356°W / 53.4409; -2.3356 (Junction 8 of M60)
  9. ^ 53°27′28″N 2°20′21″W / 53.4579°N 2.3392°W / 53.4579; -2.3392 (Junction 9 of M60)
  10. ^ 53°27′51″N 2°21′25″W / 53.4643°N 2.3570°W / 53.4643; -2.3570 (Junction 10 of M60)
  11. ^ 53°28′35″N 2°22′25″W / 53.4763°N 2.3736°W / 53.4763; -2.3736 (Junction 11 of M60)
  12. ^ 53°29′15″N 2°22′36″W / 53.4876°N 2.3768°W / 53.4876; -2.3768 (Junction 12 of M60)
  13. ^ 53°30′04″N 2°23′02″W / 53.5012°N 2.3838°W / 53.5012; -2.3838 (Junction 13 of M60)
  14. ^ 53°30′47″N 2°22′11″W / 53.5130°N 2.3697°W / 53.5130; -2.3697 (Junction 14 of M60)
  15. ^ 53°31′25″N 2°21′37″W / 53.5235°N 2.3604°W / 53.5235; -2.3604 (Junction 15 of M60)
  16. ^ 53°31′34″N 2°20′14″W / 53.5262°N 2.3371°W / 53.5262; -2.3371 (Junction 16 of M60)
  17. ^ 53°32′20″N 2°17′20″W / 53.5388°N 2.2889°W / 53.5388; -2.2889 (Junction 17 of M60)
  18. ^ 53°32′59″N 2°15′38″W / 53.5498°N 2.2605°W / 53.5498; -2.2605 (Junction 18 of M60)
  19. ^ 53°32′24″N 2°14′14″W / 53.5400°N 2.2372°W / 53.5400; -2.2372 (Junction 19 of M60)
  20. ^ 53°32′02″N 2°12′25″W / 53.5338°N 2.2069°W / 53.5338; -2.2069 (Junction 20 of M60)
  21. ^ 53°31′37″N 2°09′36″W / 53.5269°N 2.1601°W / 53.5269; -2.1601 (Junction 21 of M60)
  22. ^ 53°31′12″N 2°08′36″W / 53.5200°N 2.1434°W / 53.5200; -2.1434 (Junction 22 of M60)
  23. ^ 53°28′48″N 2°07′02″W / 53.4799°N 2.1173°W / 53.4799; -2.1173 (Junction 23 of M60)
  24. ^ 53°27′24″N 2°08′10″W / 53.4568°N 2.1361°W / 53.4568; -2.1361 (Junction 24 of M60)
  25. ^ 53°25′30″N 2°07′33″W / 53.4251°N 2.1258°W / 53.4251; -2.1258 (Junction 25 of M60)
  26. ^ 53°25′13″N 2°08′15″W / 53.4204°N 2.1376°W / 53.4204; -2.1376 (Junction 26 of M60)
  27. ^ 53°25′00″N 2°08′56″W / 53.4166°N 2.1488°W / 53.4166; -2.1488 (Junction 27 of M60)
M60 motorway junctions
mile km Anti-clockwise exits (B Carriageway) Junction Clockwise exits (A Carriageway)
0.0 0.0 Stockport (West & Centre) A5145 J1 Stockport (West) A5145
1.5 2.4 Cheadle A560 J2 No access (on-slip only)
Cheadle, Wilmslow A34 J3 Cheadle, Wilmslow A34
No access (on-slip only) J4 Chester, Warrington, Manchester Airport interchange, Birmingham (M6) M56
4.5 7.3 Chester, Manchester Airport interchange, Birmingham (M6) A5103 (M56) J5 Manchester (C), Didsbury A5103
6.0 9.7 Sale A6144 J6 Sale A6144
6.8 10.9 Manchester (C), Stretford, Altrincham A56 J7 Altrincham, Manchester (C), Stretford A56
7.5 12.0 End of variable speed limit J8 Carrington A6144
Carrington A6144 Start of variable speed limit
9.3 15.0 Trafford Park, Trafford Centre A5081 J9 Urmston B5158, Trafford Park A5081
10.3 16.5 Trafford Park, Urmston B5214 J10 Trafford Park B5214
11.4 18.4 Eccles, Irlam A57 J11 Irlam, Eccles A57
12.2 19.7 Manchester (C), Salford M602
(M6), Liverpool M62
J12 Liverpool, Warrington M62
Manchester (C), Salford M602
13.0 21.0 Swinton A572, Worsley A575 J13 Worsley, Leigh A575, Swinton A572
14.1 22.7 St. Helens, Leigh A580 J14 No access (on-slip only)
(M6 North), Preston, Wigan, Bolton M61 J15 Preston, Wigan, Bolton M61
16.3 26.2 Salford, Kearsley A666 J16 No access (on-slip only)
18.5 29.7 Manchester City Centre, Prestwich, Whitefield A56 J17 Whitefield, Prestwich A56
19.8 31.8 Start of variable speed limit J18

TOTSO
Burnley, Bury M66
Leeds, Huddersfield M62
Leeds M62
Bury, Burnley, Blackburn M66
End of variable speed limit
21.0 33.8 Middleton A576 J19 Manchester City Centre, Middleton A576
22.6 36.4 No access (on-slip only) J20 Middleton, Blackley A664
24.7 39.8 Rochdale, (A627(M)), Chadderton (A663) J21 Manchester City Centre, Chadderton (A663)
26.3 42.3 Manchester City Centre, Oldham A62 J22 Oldham A62
28.6 46.0 Ashton-under-Lyne A6140 J23 Ashton-under-Lyne A635
30.6 49.3 Manchester City Centre, Denton A57, Hyde, Sheffield (M67) J24 Denton A57, Hyde, Sheffield (M67)
Manchester City Centre A57
Bredbury A560 J25 Bredbury A560
No access J26 Stockport (E&C) A560
Stockport (East) A560 J27 No access (on-slip only)
36.1 58.1 Motorway continues to J1
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi


Data from driver location signs is used to provide distance and carriageway identifier information.[8]

Incidents

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "M60 Motorway". Highways Agency. Archived from the original on 15 November 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  2. ^ "M60". Highways Agency. Archived from the original on 15 November 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  3. ^ http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/downloadable/dft_transstats_038887.pdf dft.gov.uk
  4. ^ "Speech by Minister of State for Transport, Dr Stephen Ladyman, delivered at the opening ceremony of the widened M60 junction 5-8". Department For Transport. 26 June 2006. Archived from the original on 17 July 2007. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  5. ^ "M60 Junctions 8-12 Managed Motorways". Highways Agency. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  6. ^ "M60 Junctions 15-12 Lane Gain". Highways Agency. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  7. ^ "North-West Smart Motorways - M60 junction 8 to M62 junction 20". Highways England. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Traffic England Live Traffic Condition Map". Locations extracted from Traffic Camera Popup identifier text. Highways Agency. p. 1. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  9. ^ "M60 fatal crash: Car chased by police drove wrong way on motorway". BBC. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
[edit]
KML is from Wikidata

Further reading

[edit]
  • Hyde, M., O'Rourke, A. and Portland, P. Around the M60: Manchester's Orbital Motorway. Altrincham: AMCD Publishers, 2004.