Highway chiefs planning m-way junction revamp

The public are now being invited to a series of roadshows where they can see detailed plans for themselves.

- PAUL BRITTON

WORK to remodel notorious motorway interchange Simister Island could start as early as 2025 in a project estimated to cost between £207m and £340m, highways bosses have revealed.

A new ‘loop’ at junction 18, known locally as Simister Island, near Prestwich, will take M60 motorists from eastbound to southbound without having to leave the motorway, as they have to now. It’s been christened the ‘Northern Loop’ by National Highways.

At the moment, drivers have to get off at Simister and negotiate a busy roundabout before rejoining the M60 to head towards Heaton Park, Blackley, Chadderton and Tameside.

In March 2020, the Government’s second Road Investment Strategy included a commitment for Highways England, as the body was called then, to improve Simister Island between the M62, M60 and M66.