M60 Junction 18 Simister Island Interchange Options Consultation 2020

Overview

We’re holding a public consultation on our proposals to improve M60 Junction 18 Simister Island Interchange.

We’d like to hear what you think, so please share any concerns, ideas or local knowledge that you may have.

The consultation will run for 8 weeks, from Monday 22 June to Monday
17 August.

Please view the consultation brochure and supporting information on this page for more details and follow the link below to complete a response form.

This short video provides an overview of the consultation and options for improving Simister Island Interchange:

Why your opinion matters

The feedback and comments you provide will help us to understand the local area better as well as the scheme benefits and any potential impacts.

All responses received during the public consultation will be recorded and analysed. Where it is possible, we will use your feedback to help
develop the scheme design or to help identify ways to address concerns about the impacts of the scheme.

How to respond

We’d like to hear your views. You can respond using one of the following methods:

• Complete an online version of the response form by following the link at the bottom of this page.
   
• Send a paper copy of the response form to our freepost address: Freepost M60 J18 SIMISTER ISLAND - simply put the completed response form in an envelope with the freepost address written on the front and put it in your local post box. There is no need to use a stamp.

All responses must be received by Highways England by 11:59pm on Monday 17 August 2020. Responses received after this date may not be considered. Because of the potential impact on Royal Mail's services due to the coronavirus, we recommend responding via our online form where possible.

Where to get more information

Coronavirus is affecting us all, presenting significant challenges and demanding new and adaptive ways of working. The situation is constantly developing and changing, and it is essential that we observe and comply with the UK Government’s restrictions.

For Highways England, this means that we are not holding face-to-face public consultation events as we would normally do.

We are instead providing alternative ways for you to access scheme information, ask questions and ultimately make an informed response to the public consultation.

Our information channels below are available for you to access during the consultation:

• Visit our scheme webpage for up to date information 
   
• join one of our online chat events  during the following dates and times:

• Speak to a member of the project during one of our telephone consultation events by calling 141 0117 2444 061 during the following dates and times: 
  
  (Dialling 141 in front of the number helps us to ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations. This will not charge you any additional fees).

If you would like more information on accessing the consultation materials, require printed copies of the materials or have a query about the consultation, please contact us by calling our Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 or email info@highwaysengland.co.uk

The need for the scheme

In March 2020, the Government’s second Road Investment Strategy included a commitment for Highways England to improve Simister Island Interchange between the M62, M60 and M66. Simister Island Interchange is one of the busiest motorway junctions in the north-west used by around 90,000 vehicles each day. The junction struggles with such high volumes of traffic above what it was designed for, and as a result suffers from congestion and poor journey time reliability.

We have developed two proposed options for the scheme. Both options are to improve junction 18 of the M60 and facilitate smoother flows of traffic along the M60, M62 and M66 in the scheme area, contributing to more reliable and safer journeys into and around Greater Manchester.

To complement improvements at Simister Island Interchange, we will also convert the hard shoulder into a permanent traffic lane between M60 junctions 17 and 18, providing 5 lanes in both directions. This will provide additional benefits to those delivered through the Manchester smart motorways scheme and reduce delays through the improved junction as well as on the M60. We’re also aware of the recent Department for Transport stocktake of smart motorways and will consider these recommendations when we develop the options further.

Fly-through videos

Please see the below videos for a visual fly-through of the proposed scheme options:

Northern Loop option:

Inner Link option: