M60 Junctions 15-12 Lane Gain
Major Scheme
Part of our programme of improvements (value >10m)
Update - Public Information Exhibition
We had planned to hold a public information exercise in late 2012 once we had completed the assessments and developed a more detailed design.
Unfortunately due to a further re-design of the scheme additional assessments were required and as such the Public Information Exhibition has been delayed and is now scheduled to take place in Spring 2013.
It is our intention to maintain dialogue with our stakeholders to ensure they are kept informed as the scheme develops, please feel free to contact Susan Yates at susan.yates@highways.gsi.gov.uk or 0161 930 5643 or the Project Manager, Jacqui Allen should you require further information. Jacqui can be contacted on 0161 930 5556.
Further details of the exhibition will be made available once we have a firm date.
Update - June 2012
Surveys
To gain a greater understanding of the range of trips made on the M60, we undertook a survey that anonymously matched car registration plates along the section of the proposed managed motorway and Lane Gain schemes. The survey took place between Junction 6 and Junction 18 of the M60 and connecting motorways and was completed
before the end of April 2012.
The results are presently being analysed and it is hoped that we will have something to report our next update.
Design
The design of the scheme has continued to progress with the aim of keeping as much of the existing infrastructure as possible, for example minimising the number of new gantries and the amount of new technology required. This helps us to reduce the cost to the taxpayer. Over the last few months we have continued to develop these ideas further,
looking at innovative ways to increase capacity whilst retaining the current operating width.
This review of the design has led to the development of a scheme that permanently converts the existing hard shoulder into a normal traffi c lane. This avoids extending the carriageway closer to neighbouring homes which we
know was a concern with the previous widening proposal.
We are also now proposing to include the use of technology to control speeds through this section of the M60 when traffic is congested which should alleviate some of the safety concerns previously raised.
Safety remains our highest priority, and the design will continue to be progressed with the safety of road users and
road maintainers remaining a key consideration during the development of the scheme.
Next steps
Once all the surveys are completed the design will progress into its detailed design phase where further refinements will be made. A full value for money appraisal will be carried out to examine the benefits that the scheme is predicted to bring to road users. This will include an assessment of environmental and safety effects.
Subject to the satisfactory completion of all preparatory work, we expect to start construction on site before the end of the 2014/2015 financial year.
What is happening?
We are proposing to improve the M60 by providing an additional lane within the current highway boundaries to the M60 between junctions 15 and 12.
When and where is this happening?
In the October 2010 Spending Review, the Chancellor announced that the M60 J15-12 Lane Gain scheme will be prepared for start of construction before 2015, subject to the outcome of statutory processes.
Alongside the Budget announcement on the 21st March 2012, the Government confirmed that this scheme is planned to commence in financial year 2014/15. For more information please visit our Future Delivery Programme page. Subject to the satisfactory completion of all preparatory work, we expect to start construction on site before the end of the 2014/2015 financial year.
The work will take place on the M60 in the anticlockwise direction between junctions 15 and 12 near Swinton and the links with the M61 and M62. The M60 between Junctions 15 and 12 is approximately 3 miles (4 kilometres) long and has 4 lanes in the clockwise direction (with 3 lanes at J12 and J15). In the anticlockwise direction, it has 3 lanes up to Junction 13, 4 lanes between Junction 13 & Junction 12 and 2 lanes at Junction 12.
The section of the M60 between junctions 15 and 12 carries large volumes of traffic with a diverse range of origins and destinations. This section of our network forms part of the Trans European Road Network and the core trunk road network, catering for national and international strategic movements, particularly east - west movements along the M62 corridor across the Pennines.
Junctions 15 to 12 is also part of M60 Manchester Outer Ring Road which means it also caters for more regional and local traffic movements, distributing local travellers around the Greater Manchester conurbation and linking them with other motorways (M66, M61, M602, M56, M6 and M67).
Why is this happening and what will it cost?
The whole length of the M60 between Junctions 15 and 12 is now under considerable stress and experiences significant congestion during peak periods which are extending in duration; congestion can also occur outside of peak periods.
The close spacing of the junctions in conjunction with the high volumes of local traffic using the motorways for only short distances, results in high volumes of weaving, merging and diverging movements. This causes significant disruption to the flow of traffic, particularly longer distance, resulting in congestion and delays.
The M60 between Junctions 12 and 13 at Worsley is the busiest section of motorway in the North West and one of the busiest in the UK. Occurrences of queuing and very low speeds are common, especially during peak periods. In normal conditions average speeds between Junctions 15 and 12 can drop to as low as 15 mph. During bad weather, roadworks or incidents speeds fall further still and queuing can be severe.
Delays arise particularly between Junctions 12 and 13 and on the approaches to Junction 15, where morning peak period congestion on the anti-clockwise carriageway of the M60 results in long queues of standing traffic on the southbound carriageway of the M61.
Congestion is also having an impact on the local road network as traffic is unable to access the motorway. This is a particular problem at Junction 13 where these delays impact on pedestrians, cyclists, local residents and buses passing through the junction.
The works are estimated to cost in the range of £27m to £43m.
How will the scheme be carried out?
The new lane is to be delivered within the existing highway boundary on land we already own, so we will not be required to purchase land. This is a very busy section of road so whenever possible work will be carried out outside of peak periods and when traffic is light. During construction work speed restrictions will be in place in order to ensure the safety of both road workers and motorists. Speed restrictions will be lifted when there isn't any work taking place.
Further information can be provided once we have completed the assessments and developed a preliminary design. A Public Information Exhibition held on the 19th-21st March 2009 was carried out to solicit the views of the general public prior to conducting any detailed design. The comments received are being used to find design solutions that minimise the impacts of the scheme on local properties. We plan to hold another public information exhibition in 2012.
We are committed to the environment and take our environmental responsibilities very seriously. We will assess how these works will impact on the environment prior to starting construction.
How will this impact on my journey?
We will not have information on this until we have completed the assessments and developed a preliminary design.
What are the benefits?
By creating an additional lane we will help reduce congestion problems caused by local traffic weaving to access junctions 13 and 12, which will in turn improve safety. The additional lane will also create extra capacity on the network, helping to rectify the bottlenecks between junctions 15 and 13 and junction 12.
How do I find out more information?
More information will be posted on this project page as it becomes available. You can subscribe to be alerted when updates are made.
If you have any queries about this project you should contact the Highways Agency Information Line by emailing ha_info@highways.gsi.gov.uk or calling 0300 123 5000.
| Outline Design | Ongoing |
|---|---|
| Detailed Design | To be confirmed |
| Start of Works | During 2014/2015 financial year |
Business Case
Business Case - Information correct as at December 2010
Newsletter
Newsletter 4 for the M60 Junctions 15-12 Lane Gain
Newsletter 3 for the M60 Junctions 15-12 Lane Gain
Newsletter 2 for the M60 Junctions 15-12 Lane Gain
Newsletter 1 for the M60 Junctions 15-12 Lane Gain
In 2001 the Department for Transport commissioned a "multi-modal" study to assess the transport pressures in the M60 Junction 18 to 12 corridor. A multi-modal study looks at all passenger and freight transport options in an integrated way to provide joined up solutions to transport problems.
This assessment work was completed in January 2003 with the publication of the final report. This identified a preferred strategy to improve the junction 18 to 12 section of the M60 motorway. The preferred strategy contained a number of elements; one of which was the creation of a 4th lane on the anticlockwise carriageway, within the existing highway boundary, between junctions 15 and 12.
The Secretary of State announced in July 2003 that he would be instructing the Highways Agency to take forward preparatory work on a scheme to provide a fourth lane anti-clockwise between Junctions 15 and 12 from within the existing highway boundary. The project was delayed while a number of reviews were undertaken, but the decision to proceed was finally given in the Ministerial announcement on the National Roads Programme in January 2009.
In the October 2010 Spending Review, the Chancellor announced that the M60 J15-12 Lane Gain scheme will be prepared for start of construction before 2015, subject to the outcome of statutory processes.
Alongside the Budget announcement on the 21st March 2012, the Government confirmed that this scheme is planned to commence in financial year 2014/15.