M62
| M62 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location Map ( geo) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| From: | Knotty Ash (SJ404902) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To: | North Cave (SE874313) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distance: | 107 miles (172.2 km) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Meets: | M6, M60, M66, A627(M), M606, M621, M1, A1(M), M18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Former Number(s): | M52 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Old route now: | M60 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Junction List | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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For the original use of the number, the Stretford-Eccles bypass (now M60 junctions 7 to 13), see M62 (Stretford - Eccles bypass).
For the 1990s proposal to build an express motorway from junction 12 to junction 18, see M62 Relief Road.
The M62 is the Lancashire - Yorkshire Motorway, passing from Liverpool on the west coast via the outskirts of Manchester, Bradford and Leeds to the high-quality A63 to the west of Hull. The section between Liverpool and Salford was originally allocated the number M52; when it was decided to merge the M52 and M62, it was assumed that the M52 number would be chosen to keep it in zone, but the conclusion was that the M62 number was already too well known. The section between Eccles (junction 12) and Simister (junction 18) was renumbered to M60 in 1998.
The number M62 was originally allocated to the Stretford–Eccles Bypass, then mostly renumbered to M63 and now entirely part of M60. There were plans to create an express motorway between Eccles and Simister allowing Trans-Pennine traffic to not have to use what is now the M60.
For part of its route the M62 is multiplexed with the M60. This is one of only three multiplexes between two motorways in Great Britain, the others being M6 Toll / M42 and M9 / M876.
Junctions
Simister Island
Simister Island forms the north eastern corner of the M60 Manchester Outer Ring Road. Opened in 1970 as a standard two level roundabout with provision for an underpass onto the Bury Easterly Bypass (now M66) when constructed, it has since become vastly over-capacity. In 1999 as part of the creation of the M60, the interchange was given free-flow sliproads for all left turns, and the circulatory carriageway was widened to four lanes with colour-coded Spiral Roundabout markings to direct traffic through the newly signalised junction.
Chain Bar Interchange
Chain Bar forms the southern terminus of the M606 near Bradford in Yorkshire. The main junction is a multi-lane signalised roundabout located beneath both the M62 and M606, providing connections to both motorways and the A58 and A638. The M606 itself has direct sliproads to and from Manchester as a means of improving access to the Pennine section of the M62. The westbound flyover is subject to a 50 mph speed restriction which is enforced by speed cameras.
Lofthouse Interchange
Lofthouse Interchange connects the M1 with the M62. It initially opened in 1970 as a standard three-level roundabout. The likely reason for this was the unrealised proposals for the Flockton Link Motorway which would have cut the corner for M62 east to M1 south movements. This never happened and the roundabout consequently became a horrendous bottleneck, much like Simister Island to the west.
Services
Birch services
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Birch services are located on the M62 between Manchester and Rochdale. It is perhaps most famous for a major fire that destroyed the westbound services building in 2003.
Ferrybridge services
Ferrybridge services are a single-site MSA located within the complex junction between M62 and the former A1 in Yorkshire. It is the easternmost services on M62.
Burtonwood services
Burtonwood services are a small MSA in Lancashire near Warrington. In 2008, the westbound side was abandoned, and all traffic is now diverted to the eastbound side via the former staff-only entrance.
Features
Pennine Way Bridge
Between J21 and J22, the Pennine Way footpath crosses the M62 using an impressive arched bridge.
Highest Point
The M62 holds the record for the highest motorway in Great Britain. A sign inside J22 proclaims the height to be 372m (1221 feet).
Scammonden Bridge
Between J22 and J23, the motorway passes underneath a large single span concrete arch bridge.
See main article: Scammonden Bridge
Scammonden Dam
Immediately to the east of Scammonden Bridge, the motorway passes on top of the dam holding back Scammonden reservoir. The dam and motorway were constructed at the same time, with the reservoir beginning to fill with water in July 1969 and the motorway opening to traffic in 1970.
Stott Hall Farm
Stott Hall Farm famously sits between the motorway. To the West of Scammonden Dam, between J22 and J23, the motorway carriageways split apart, with fields and a farmhouse in the central reservation.
A common myth is that a farmer living there at the time refused to move and the farmhouse was built around it. In reality, this section of the motorway was constructed over very weak ground consisting mostly of peat bogs. Near Stott Hall Farm, the weight of two parallel carriageways and traffic on them would have caused settlement of dangerous levels affecting the carriageway (similar to the problems faced between Warrington and Salford). By splitting the carriageways the weight was spread, and by complete coincidence, the farmhouse didn't need to be demolished. The farm is accessed by two culverts under the motorway.
In an interview dated May 1972, resident Joyce Wild explained that after the engineers had decided to split the carriageways, she was offered a choice and "chose to stay" despite the new road. She added that she had not objected to the planned road and "didn't think there was any point". She was living there with her father-in-law and two children, who were grateful that the dirt from the construction was no longer a problem, and were getting used to the sound of the new road, although they said the pollution was noticeable on some mornings. At the time, they reckoned they were being visited once a week by stranded drivers who were looking to make a phone call.
One possible reason why the myth is so widespread, aside from it making a better story, is that Stott Hall Farm gets mixed up with White Lea Farm. White Lea Farm did need to be demolished to build the reservoir at Scammonden; the owner Wilfred Dyson did object to this and was imprisoned in 1969 for attacking the workmen.
Ouse Motorway Bridge
In the East Riding of Yorkshire, the motorway is very flat in comparison to the Pennine stretch; it is possibly this landscape that makes the Ouse Motorway Bridge a recognisable feature in the area, rising to a height of 30m.
See main article: M62 Ouse Bridge
History
M62 Stretford - Eccles Bypass
M62 Unbuilt Liverpool Section
M62 Relief Road
Opening Dates
Streetlighting
Much of the M62's total length is lit due to the high traffic volumes.
| Jcts | Lit | Type | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-5 | Yes | Mix of high mast LED and conventional LED | High mast lighting through urban section | |
| 6-8 | No | |||
| 8-11 | Yes | Conventional LED | ||
| 11-12 | No | Eastbound verge lighting (LED) approaching J12 | ||
| 12-18 (M60) | Yes | Mix of conventional SON and LED | ||
| 18-30 | Yes | Mix of conventional SON and LED, barring 600m of SOX at J21 | ||
| 30-32 | No | |||
| 32-32A | Yes | Conventional SON | ||
| 32A-38 | No |
Not all of the lighting is original to the motorway, indeed much of it opened without lighting but was retrofitted due to concerns over traffic volumes and weather patterns (particularly in the moorland section between J21-28). A major lighting replacement scheme on numerous sections took place during 2011/12. Before that, the lighting stock between J18-20 was replaced in 2003 as part of a wider signing and lighting package.
At the time it was built, the lighting on the trans-Pennine section was justified by "steep hills, low cloud and complex junctions". The length of the lighting was treated as an engineering triumph at the time. Today, lighting a rural motorway is seen as wasteful.
Traffic Levels
| Route | Junctions | Type | 2008 AADT | 2009 AADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M62 | 23-24 | D3M | 83,147 | |
| M62 | 24-25 | D3M | 102,008 | |
| M62 | 25-26 | D3M | 122,755 | |
| M62 | 26-27 | D3M | 143,295 | |
| M62 | 27-28 | D3M | 109 177 | |
| M62 | 28-29 | D4M | 120,540 | |
| M62 | 29-30 | D3M | 94,154 |
Videos
M62 J26 to J27
Travelling along the M62 from the roundabout under J26 heading up the eastbound sliproad and through the roadworks
M60 Simister Island June 2020 Consultation Option 1
We are holding a consultation on our plans to improve Simister Island Interchange at junction 18 of the M60. This is the Northern Loop option, which is the first of the two options we have developed. For this option we’d build a new loop structure to provide a free-flow link from the M60 eastbound to the M60 southbound. We’d also build a wider free-flow link from the M60 northbound to the M60 westbound, and widen the M66 southbound to 4 lanes through the junction.
M60 Simister Island June 2020 Consultation Option 2
We are holding a consultation on our plans to improve Simister Island Interchange at junction 18 of the M60. This is the Inner Links option, which is the second of the two options we have developed. This would involve building two new bridges over the M66 within the roundabout. We’d also build a new free-flow link from the M60 eastbound to the M66 northbound, and replace the existing single-lane from the M60 northbound to westbound with two lanes. We’d need to widen the M60 eastbound and M66 southbound slip roads if we select this option, as well as widening Hills Lane bridge just north of the project.
Links
- Google Earth view: M62 near Ripponden: Stott Hall Farm: the farm between the motorway; another view. The unusual route of the carriageways there is to avoid deep soft moorland peat areas.
National Highways
- Post Opening Project Evaluation - M62 J25-30 Smart Motorway - One Year After April 2016 (archive.org)
Roads.org.uk
legislation.gov.uk
- The M62 Motorway (New Junction 8 and Widening Junction 8 to 9) Connecting Roads Scheme 2000 - Legal orders for widening scheme between J8 and J9 and construction of M62 J8
- The Managed Motorway (Actively Managed Hard Shoulder and Variable Speed Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013 - This amends M62 Motorway (Junctions 25-30) (Actively Managed Hard Shoulder and Variable Speed Limits) Regulations 2012.
- The M62 Motorway (Junctions 10 to 12) and M602 Motorway (Junction 1) (Variable Speed Limits) Regulations 2020 - These Regulations introduce variable speed limits to—
(a)the eastbound carriageways of the M62 and M602 motorways from junction 11 of the M62 to junction 1 of the M602;
(b)the westbound carriageways of the M602 and M62 motorways from junction 1 of the M602 to junction 10 of the M62;
(c)slip roads at junction 11 of the M62 motorway; and
(d)parts of the linking carriageways at junctions 10 and 12 of the M62 motorway.
