Safe Speed Forums

M60 cracks still a mystery
Don Frame

August 02, 2009

INVESTIGATIONS into the cause of mystery cracks in a six-mile stretch of the M60 are almost at an end - but Highways Agency bosses say they are not yet in a position to explain the cause.

For the past five weekends, drivers were warned of likely congestion and delays because of lane closures on the motorway between Middleton and Ashton under Lyne, while tests were carried out.

Millions

The Agency could seek to recover millions of pounds because of the forced closure, depending on the outcome of the investigation.

The last two weekend closures: this weekend, and again next weekend, will involve a two-lane section at Junction 21, when traffic will be restricted to a single lane anti-clockwise on both Saturday and Sunday. Slip roads at Junction 21 will also be closed. Drivers are again being advised to avoid this section of the motorway if posible until 6am on Monday morning. Diversion routes will be clearly signposted.

Advice

The Highways Agency warns however that as the work is weather-related, it could be postponed at short notice. They advice checking on their website's traffic information page (www.highways.gov.uk/traffic); listen to the agency's Traffic Radio DAB service, or call the information line on 08457 50 40 30. Paul Hampson, assistant project manager said: "Drivers have heeded the advice to avoid this section of the M60 during the work. So far, that has helped minimise any delays."

Contractors

The affected stretch of the motorway is the newest part of the M60, and was built by contractors Balfour Beatty just nine years ago.
Cracks were first noticed more than 18 months ago, and the Highways Agency decided it could not keep rapairing them on a case-by-case basis.

Flooding

David Grunwell, director of north west operations for the agency said he would have expected the road surface to last for 40 years.
The stretch of the motorway is the same one hit by flooding three years ago: a problem that cost £4.6m to put right. In that case the contractors were found NOT to have been responsible.