Hauliers have been warned cross-Pennine transport will be affected next month when a key section of the M62 is closed for two full weekends.

Network Rail is replacing a railway bridge over the motorway between junction 19 at Heywood and junction 20 at Rochdale.

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 during the closures in both directions from 9pm on Friday 6 September to 6am on Monday 9 September and from 9pm on Friday 20 September to 6am on Monday 23 September.

National Highways said it was the first time in recent memory that the M62, which carries around 120,000 vehicles a day, would be closed for a whole weekend or other extended period for planned work.

Diversions will be in place.

Castleton bridge carries the main railway line over the M62 between Manchester and Rochdale

Castleton bridge carries the main railway line over the M62 between Manchester and Rochdale

Source: National Highways

Gary Farrell, National Highways’ senior network planner, said:

“Network Rail clearly needs to replace what is an ageing bridge and a critical piece of the railways infrastructure supporting the important Manchester Victoria to Leeds service and other routes.

“We are urging drivers to avoid this section of the M62 during the two weekends by delaying journeys or planning alternative routes – but anyone who does need to use the M62 over the two weekends should follow the official diversions and not rely on sat nav advice.”

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