The road closures taking place in Oldham over the next two weeks

Motorists across Oldham are facing a challenging fortnight on the roads with three major closures scheduled over just three days next week. The works, described as 'essential maintenance' by National Highways, will affect key routes including the M60, A663, and A627M, potentially causing significant disruption to commuters and local businesses.

The first closure hits the M60 on Monday, April 21, with lane restrictions between Junctions 23 and 20 from midnight until 7am. National Highways says the work is for drainage maintenance, though drivers heading to Manchester Airport or through the region should factor in extra journey time that morning.

Tuesday night brings the most extensive disruption, with the A663 completely shut in both directions from the A627M Junction 1 to the M60 from 9pm on April 22 until 6am the following morning. The work involves white lining and road markings, but the full closure means drivers will need to find alternative routes through residential areas like Chadderton and Hollinwood.

The final closure affects the A627M southbound between Junctions 3 and 1, starting at 10pm on April 22 and lasting until 7am on April 24. This horticulture work will impact traffic heading towards Oldham town centre and could affect deliveries to businesses along the route.

Local taxi firms and haulage companies have already expressed concerns about the timing of these works, which fall during a busy period for both commuting and deliveries. The council's highways department has advised motorists to check travel updates regularly and allow extra time for journeys, particularly those involving airport runs or time-sensitive deliveries.