Date published: 04 September 2024
Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe
Bridge 48A which runs over the M62 motorway at Castleton
Starting this week, work will begin on a major £22m railway bridge, wreaking havoc on local transportation routes.
No trains whatsoever will run between Manchester and Rochdale for nearly three weeks, starting this Friday 6 September and running through until 24 September, as Castleton bridge, which is almost 60 years old and carries the main railway line over the M62 between Manchester and Rochdale, is being demolished and replaced with a new bridge.
The M62 motorway will be closed in both directions from 9pm this Friday (6 September) to 6am on Monday (9 September), and from 9pm on Friday 20 September to 6am on Monday 23 September.
It’s important to note that there will also be nightly – 9pm to 6am – closures of the motorway in both directions between the two weekend closures. These closures will be in place every night until the second weekend closure of the motorway.
Information for road users
Motorists have been advised to avoid the section of the M62, between junction 19 at Heywood and junction 20 at Rochdale, during the two weekends by delaying journeys or planning alternative routes.
Drivers have been warned that the two weekend closures will affect cross-Pennine travel plans with the motorway linking Liverpool and Hull as well as the cities of Manchester and Leeds in between.
While drivers are being advised to avoid this section of the M62 if possible diversions will be in place.
Due to the timings of the work over weekends, different closure and diversion arrangements will be in place for the westbound and eastbound carriageways – with the eastbound carriageway actually being closed from junction 18 of the M62 at Simister Island interchange to junction 20 of the M62 at Rochdale.
The westbound carriageway will be closed between junction 20 at Rochdale and junction 19 at Heywood.
The diversion for eastbound drivers will use the strategic road network with drivers from the M66 or clockwise M60 and reaching Simister Island travelling to junction 21 of the M60 at Chadderton where they should then use the northbound A663 (Broadway) and northbound A627M to join the M62 at junction 20.
Drivers diverted off the westbound M62 at junction 20 will be sent back onto the motorway via Middleton – using the southbound A627(M), southbound A664 Rochdale Road and northbound A6046 Hollin Lane, re-joining the M62 at junction 19.
According to National Highways, the disruption is at a time when demand is lower during the warmer season of the year.
It is the first time in recent memory that the M62, which carries around 120,000 vehicles a day, has been closed for a whole weekend or other extended period for planned work.
That said, with schools returning and students heading off to university soon, National Highways bosses were confident that this was the best time to do the works – citing less holiday traffic and better weather conditions.
https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/north-west/m62-castleton-bridge-replacement/
Information for rail & public transport users
Buses will replace trains between Rochdale and Manchester whilst the work takes place.
Rail replacement bus stop locations can be found on dedicated green posters at all stations which are directly impacted by the works.
Your journey might also be affected if you’re travelling from places like Leeds and Bradford to Halifax, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden and Manchester, as trains will be unable to divert and may also be replaced by buses.
Northern Rail has posted: “Journeys will take longer than usual and last services of the day may be much earlier than normal. Please check before travelling and allow plenty of time to get to your destination.”
Tickets
Please note that when considering alternative travel arrangements, there is no ticket acceptance on Metrolink between Rochdale and central Manchester.
If you plan to use Metrolink, please purchase a separate ticket or use contactless to tap-on and tap-off at Metrolink stations.
Your usual train tickets will be accepted on the replacement buses.