Travelers and residents across Salford faced severe disruption on December 31, 2025, after a serious crash on Cadishead Way led to a full closure of one of the city’s key arterial routes.

Emergency services rushed to the scene near the Irlam Locks roundabout early in the morning, where a single vehicle had suffered catastrophic damage.

One person was pronounced dead and another was left seriously injured, prompting a major police investigation and lengthy road shutdown as Greater Manchester Police collision specialists examined the scene.

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Major Salford Route Brought to a Standstill

Cadishead Way, part of the A57 corridor in Salford, was shut in both directions for much of New Year’s Eve after the crash, which occurred at around 7 am near the roundabout close to Irlam Locks.

Police quickly established a large cordon, cutting off the stretch between Townsgate Way and Liverpool Road while officers, paramedics and firefighters worked among the wreckage.

Local reports described a heavy emergency services presence, with marked police vehicles, ambulances, fire appliances and specialist collision investigation units lining the route.

A forensic tent was erected next to the mangled vehicle, underlining the seriousness of the incident and the likelihood of a protracted on-scene investigation.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the collision involved a single car. Two occupants were in the vehicle at the time of impact. One person died at the scene, while a second was taken to hospital with serious injuries. MNo further details about the victims had been released by late afternoon as officers worked to inform families and gather evidence.

For drivers, the immediate impact was gridlock. Cadishead Way is a vital east west link for Salford, used by commuters heading towards Manchester, Warrington and the M62.

With both carriageways closed, traffic quickly spilled onto local roads around Irlam, Cadishead and Peel Green, causing delays far beyond the crash site.

Eyewitness Accounts Paint a Harrowing Picture

Witnesses travelling to work on December 31 described a harrowing scene in the moments after the crash. One man told local reporters that he watched the car travel straight into the roundabout near Irlam Locks before striking a tree on the central island.

The vehicle then overturned and came to rest on its roof on the far side of the junction.

The same witness said he ran to help and tried to pull the occupants from the wreckage but was confronted with twisted metal and a car he described as a total write off.

His account has been echoed by others who came upon the aftermath and spoke of the shocking condition of the vehicle and the visible distress of those attempting first aid.

A police officer at the scene, speaking to local media, said the wreckage represented one of the worst crashes he had seen in his career.

That stark assessment has resonated across the community, turning what might have been a routine final commute of 2025 into a sombre reminder of the dangers on this busy corridor.

Residents living near Townsgate Way and around the Irlam Locks roundabout reported waking to the sound of sirens and helicopters before discovering that their main road was closed and that a fatal crash had taken place at a junction already known locally for serious collisions.

Traffic Chaos and Ripple Effects for Holiday Travel

The timing of the crash could hardly have been more disruptive for road users. New Year’s Eve typically brings a mix of commuter traffic, last minute shoppers and people traveling to see friends and family or reach city centre celebrations.

With Cadishead Way closed in both directions on one of the busiest days of the festive period, detours quickly clogged alternative routes.

Drivers reported tailbacks along Liverpool Road, routes through Irlam and Cadishead, and parallel local streets used as informal diversions.

Those heading towards the motorway network found themselves delayed or forced to re plan journeys via other A roads, adding significant time to cross city trips and inter urban travel between Manchester and Cheshire or Merseyside.

Public transport users were not directly affected on the rails, but local buses that rely on the A57 corridor faced diversions and delays as they threaded through residential streets.

Some passengers posted descriptions of services running late or being re routed at short notice, further complicating travel plans on a day which already strains transport networks.

Travel information providers and traffic bulletins repeatedly urged motorists to avoid the area around the Irlam Locks roundabout, warning of long delays and stop start traffic on feeder routes. Navigation apps and digital signs directed drivers away from Cadishead Way, but with limited parallel corridors in this part of Salford, congestion remained severe throughout the morning and into the afternoon.

Police Investigation and Search for Answers

Greater Manchester Police launched a full serious collision investigation following the crash, with specialist officers documenting the scene, taking measurements and recovering the vehicle for further examination.

Their task is to determine what led to the car leaving the carriageway at the roundabout and suffering such devastating damage.

Investigators will consider a range of factors, including speed, road conditions, vehicle integrity and the possibility of impairment or distraction.

New Year’s Eve mornings can bring varied hazards, from low winter sun and damp road surfaces to drivers fatigued from early starts or late nights.

All of these elements will be part of the inquiry as detectives seek to reconstruct the final moments before impact.

Police have appealed for dashcam footage from anyone who was travelling on Cadishead Way or in the vicinity of the Irlam Locks roundabout around the time of the crash.

Commuters and local residents are being encouraged to check in car cameras and home CCTV systems for any images of the vehicle involved in the minutes leading up to the collision.

Officers are also taking statements from witnesses and nearby residents who saw or heard the crash. Information from the public is expected to play a key role in piecing together the sequence of events, especially in a high speed, single vehicle crash where there are no other motorists to provide a direct account of what happened.

Spotlight on a Notorious Accident Blackspot

The Irlam Locks roundabout on Cadishead Way is already regarded by many locals as a dangerous junction. Residents say the layout and speeds on approach make it a repeat location for serious collisions.

Some living nearby told reporters that the December 31 crash was the third significant incident in the past couple of years at or near this roundabout.

That record fits into a wider picture of concern over the A57 corridor in Salford, which has long been the subject of debate about congestion, lane configurations and safety.

Recent public meetings about proposals to change or remove lanes on parts of the A57 have seen residents express frustration about both delays and collision risks, arguing that lived experience of daily users must guide any redesign.

Historical data also shows that serious crashes on Cadishead Way are not new. Past incidents have included multi vehicle collisions and fatalities at junctions such as Fairhills Road and other key access points.

Campaigners have previously called for improved signage, better lighting and revised speed limits, arguing that a high speed dual carriageway environment meets complex junctions too abruptly.

In this context, the New Year’s Eve crash is likely to intensify scrutiny of road design and enforcement on Cadishead Way.

Transport planners, councillors and safety campaigners will face renewed questions about whether enough has been done to tackle a route that is simultaneously vital for connectivity and repeatedly linked with tragedy.

Impact on Local Community and Travelers

Beyond the immediate shock and travel disruption, the crash has had a deep emotional impact on communities around Irlam and Cadishead.

Residents described the horror of learning that someone had lost their life so close to home on a day usually associated with reflection and anticipation of the new year.

Parents in nearby housing estates spoke of their anxiety about children crossing feeder roads that suddenly saw surges in diverted traffic.

Those working in local schools, shops and care facilities reported staff arriving late or missing shifts altogether due to diversions and long queues, highlighting how a major road closure ripples through essential services.

For travelers passing through Salford as part of longer journeys, the closure of Cadishead Way became an unexpected obstacle.

Drivers heading between Manchester and destinations such as Warrington, North Wales or the Merseyside coast often rely on this corridor as an alternative to more congested motorways. Many found themselves re routing at short notice, struggling with limited local knowledge and increased pressure on neighbouring A roads.

Hospitality businesses and event venues expecting guests for New Year’s Eve celebrations also reported concerns that gridlocked roads and shaken communities might dampen turnout or lead to cancellations.

For many, the crash turned what should have been a day of preparation and optimism into one overshadowed by loss and logistical strain.

Safety Advice for Drivers Using Cadishead Way and Similar Routes

Road safety experts consistently highlight high speed approach roads to complex junctions as locations where extra care is vital.

On routes like Cadishead Way, where dual carriageway sections feed into roundabouts, changes in speed environment and driver expectations can create dangerous situations, especially in poor visibility or wet winter conditions.

Drivers are advised to reduce speed well before roundabouts, pay close attention to signage and road markings, and avoid last second lane changes or braking.

In vehicles equipped with dashcams and advanced driver assistance systems, reviewing alerts and footage after near misses can serve as a personal reminder of how quickly things can go wrong on familiar roads.

For those planning journeys that rely on the A57 corridor, building additional time into itineraries is prudent, particularly during the festive period and rush hours.

Using real time traffic updates and listening to local travel bulletins can help motorists adjust routes early rather than encountering closures at the last moment.

Authorities in Greater Manchester have repeatedly encouraged anyone involved in or witnessing serious incidents to come forward with information.

This not only assists investigations but can also feed into long term safety improvements, as engineers and planners analyze patterns of behaviour and collision data to inform design changes and enforcement strategies.

FAQ

Q1. What happened on Cadishead Way on December 31, 2025?
A serious single vehicle crash occurred on Cadishead Way in Salford near the Irlam Locks roundabout on the morning of December 31, 2025, leading to one death, one person seriously injured and a full closure of the road in both directions.

Q2. Where exactly was the road closed?
Police closed a section of Cadishead Way between Townsgate Way and Liverpool Road, including the approaches to the roundabout by Irlam Locks, creating a large cordon for emergency work and collision investigation.

Q3. How many people were in the vehicle and what is known about them?
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that two people were in the car. One person died as a result of the crash and the second was taken to hospital with serious injuries, though further personal details have not yet been released.

Q4. Do police know what caused the crash?
Investigators have not yet released a definitive cause. Specialist officers are examining the vehicle, road layout, speed, conditions and any available dashcam or CCTV footage to understand how the car left the carriageway at the roundabout.

Q5. How long was Cadishead Way expected to remain closed?
Police warned that the closure would be in place for an extended period on December 31 while forensic collision work took place and recovery operations were completed, and they urged drivers to avoid the area and follow diversion routes.

Q6. Which journeys and travelers were most affected by the closure?
The closure impacted local residents, commuters and holiday travelers using Cadishead Way as a strategic east west route between Salford, Irlam, Cadishead and connections towards the M62, Warrington and other regional destinations.

Q7. Is the Irlam Locks roundabout known for previous accidents?
Local residents say the roundabout has seen multiple serious incidents in recent years and describe it as a notorious spot, reinforcing longstanding concerns about the safety of this part of the A57 corridor.

Q8. What should drivers do if they have dashcam footage from the area?
Anyone with dashcam recordings from Cadishead Way or nearby routes around the time of the collision is urged to contact Greater Manchester Police and provide footage that might help reconstruct the events leading up to the crash.

Q9. How can travelers stay updated about disruptions on Cadishead Way?
Travelers should monitor local radio travel bulletins, official police and council updates, and live traffic services for the latest information on closures, diversions and the reopening of Cadishead Way and surrounding routes.

Q10. Does this crash have implications for future road safety measures in Salford?
The severity of the collision and its location on a route already under scrutiny are likely to intensify calls for safety reviews, potential redesigns and stronger enforcement on Cadishead Way and across the wider A57 network in Salford.