A major motorway in Greater Manchester has been forced to close after a significant flooding incident caused by a local sewage system failure.
Motorway Shut Due to Severe Flooding
The M60 motorway is closed anti-clockwise between junction 17 and junction 14 following the incident. The flooding, which occurred due to a malfunction in the sewage infrastructure, has rendered a section of the key orbital route impassable for traffic on the morning of Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Works Delayed and Travel Chaos Expected
Compounding the disruption, overnight maintenance works that were scheduled for the same stretch of carriageway have been severely delayed. These works, which were unrelated to the flooding and were originally slated for completion by 5am, have now overrun as a direct result of the unexpected inundation.
National Highways has confirmed that a diversion route is currently in operation to guide motorists around the affected area. However, significant delays are anticipated for morning commuters and other road users travelling through this part of Greater Manchester.
Ongoing Situation and Advice for Drivers
The situation remains live and developing. Authorities are on the scene addressing both the sewage malfunction and the subsequent flooding. Drivers are strongly advised to avoid the area if possible and to allow extra time for their journeys if travel is essential.
This closure highlights the vulnerability of critical transport infrastructure to utility failures and the cascading disruption it can cause to planned works and daily commutes.
