Road closures in Oldham next two weeks - A663, M60 affected

Drivers across Oldham are facing a fortnight of major road closures that will affect two of the town's busiest routes. The A663 northbound is already closed until March 23 for essential drainage work, while additional night-time closures for road markings will begin on March 20. The M60 will also see a lane closure on March 23-24 for horticulture works.

The A663 closure stretches from Middleton Lane to the A627(M)-a 1.28-kilometre section that carries thousands of vehicles daily. Work crews need this full closure to carry out drainage improvements that council engineers say are critical for preventing future flooding problems. Local taxi drivers are already reporting longer journey times as they navigate around the closure.

Night-time restrictions on the A663 will run from 9pm to 6am on Wednesday and Thursday, and from 9pm to 5am on Monday, Tuesday and Friday until March 27. These closures are for white lining and road markings between the A627M Junction 1 and the M60. The timing aims to minimise disruption, but delivery drivers and shift workers will need to plan alternative routes.

The M60 clockwise will lose a lane between Junction 20 and Junction 23 from 8pm on March 23 until 6am the following morning. Highways England says this is for cutting and planting works along the motorway verges. While a single lane closure might seem minor, this section often carries heavy traffic during evening hours, particularly with commuters heading towards Manchester.

Transport for Greater Manchester is advising all motorists to check their routes before travelling and allow extra journey time. The combined effect of these closures could create significant delays, especially for those travelling between Oldham and neighbouring towns. Local bus services may also experience knock-on delays as they navigate the altered traffic patterns.