Drivers using one of northern England’s busiest motorway corridors faced severe disruption on the morning of 10 February 2026 after a heavy goods vehicle caught fire on the M62 between Simister Island and Heywood. The incident, which shut all eastbound lanes between junction 18 for the M60 and junction 19 for Heywood, triggered delays of up to two hours and forced authorities to urge motorists to divert or postpone their journeys. Congestion quickly built along the M62 and spilled back onto surrounding routes as emergency services worked to bring the blaze under control and make the carriageway safe.
What Happened on the M62 Between Simister Island and Heywood
The disruption began shortly after 06:45 GMT when reports emerged of an HGV on fire on the eastbound M62 close to the stretch that links Simister Island with junction 19 for Heywood. National Highways confirmed that all four lanes of the eastbound carriageway were initially closed as firefighters tackled the blaze and traffic officers established a secure cordon. For a period, traffic was held completely while crews worked at the roadside.
By mid-morning, authorities had reduced the closure to a partial one, but long queues were already firmly established. Motorists travelling towards Heywood, Rochdale and on to West Yorkshire found themselves stationary for extended periods, with some reports suggesting delays stretching towards two hours for those caught closest to the scene. The incident occurred on a section of motorway that not only carries trans-Pennine traffic but also acts as a vital commuter route for Greater Manchester, amplifying the impact during the busy morning peak.
Initial indications from traffic monitoring services suggested there were no serious injuries, though this had not been formally confirmed at the time the disruption was unfolding. The primary focus for emergency teams was to extinguish the fire, check for potential fuel or cargo spillages and assess any structural impact on the carriageway. Only once those tasks were complete could lanes be safely reopened and traffic allowed to pass.
Where the Incident Occurred and Why It Matters
The HGV fire took place on the eastbound M62 between junction 18 and junction 19, a short but strategically important stretch of motorway in Greater Manchester. Junction 18 is better known as Simister Island, a multi-level interchange where the M62, M60 and M66 meet. Handling tens of thousands of vehicles each day, it is one of the most critical nodes in the North West’s motorway network. Any closure near this junction can quickly have knock-on effects across a wide area.
East of Simister Island, the M62 forms the primary cross-country route linking Greater Manchester with West Yorkshire and beyond, carrying both long-distance freight and regional commuter traffic. Junction 19 serves Heywood and provides a gateway towards Rochdale and the northern fringe of Greater Manchester. With all eastbound lanes shut between these points, there were few easy alternatives for drivers already committed to the motorway.
For travellers heading from Liverpool or Warrington towards Leeds, Hull or the Yorkshire Dales, the timing and location of the fire meant an abrupt halt to progress. Holidaymakers starting half-term trips, business travellers making early meetings and long-distance HGV drivers alike found themselves caught in the same wall of stationary traffic. The closure underlined how dependent many cross-country journeys are on the resilience of this single strategic corridor.
Impact on Drivers and the Wider Network
By late morning, congestion from the closure had extended well back along the M62 and onto the M60 orbital, with tailbacks building on the approach to Simister Island. Journey time estimates from National Highways warned of delays of up to two hours, with some sections of the carriageway at a complete standstill. For many drivers, what should have been a straightforward commute or inter-city hop turned into a lengthy and uncertain wait.
Motorists reported slow progress even on routes feeding into the affected junctions, as vehicles attempted to exit the queue or divert at short notice. Congestion was also observed on parallel A roads through parts of north Manchester, Bury and Rochdale as drivers sought alternatives. The knock-on effect extended well beyond the immediate closure, as local streets absorbed more traffic than they were designed to carry during the morning peak.
Public transport links, particularly bus routes that use or cross the motorway network, were also vulnerable to delay as they negotiated congested approaches to the M62 and M60. For residents and visitors alike, the fire demonstrated how a single incident on a major trunk route can ripple through an entire region’s travel patterns, affecting those far from the main scene of disruption.
Advice to Motorists: Rerouting and Delay Management
Traffic authorities strongly advised drivers to avoid the area where possible, suggesting they delay departure or consider alternative routes until the scene had been made safe and lanes could reopen. For those yet to start their journeys, the most effective option was simply to postpone travel or, where practical, switch to rail for trans-Pennine trips between Manchester and Yorkshire.
Drivers already on the motorway were encouraged to leave the M62 ahead of Simister Island or join the M60 in the opposite direction and route around the disruption if they had sufficient fuel and a clear understanding of the local network. In practice, however, once queues had developed back from the scene, many motorists found themselves committed to slow-moving traffic with limited options other than patience.
For visitors unfamiliar with Greater Manchester’s road layout, the advice was to stay calm, remain in lane and follow instructions from overhead signs and traffic officers rather than making last-minute maneuvers. Sudden attempts to switch lanes or dart into exit slip roads only increase the risk of secondary collisions, which can prolong disruption and place additional strain on emergency services already committed to the main incident.
Safety Response and Ongoing Risks from HGV Fires
The fire response on the M62 involved firefighters, traffic officers and potentially police resources coordinating to secure the scene. HGV fires can be particularly challenging to tackle because of the size of the vehicle, the fuel it carries and the nature of its load. Depending on the cargo, there can be risks of toxic smoke, secondary explosions or hazardous spillages, all of which must be rapidly assessed by specialist teams.
Standard procedure requires closing lanes around the incident to create a safe working zone for emergency crews and to protect road users. In this case, that meant a full eastbound shutdown in the early stages, with traffic held while firefighters brought the blaze under control. Even once the flames are extinguished, crews must often continue to damp down hot spots, check for structural damage to the road surface and central barriers, and ensure any debris is removed before vehicles can safely pass.
For drivers, the incident is a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining safe following distances and being alert to sudden changes on the motorway. When traffic ahead brakes sharply or overhead signs indicate a closure, prompt but controlled slowing can help prevent further collisions. Observing lane closures as soon as they are signed, rather than pushing to remain in a closing lane until the last moment, also reduces the risk of side-swipes and road rage incidents in heavily congested conditions.
Travel Disruption and What It Means for Visitors
For travellers exploring northern England by road, an event like the M62 HGV fire can be especially disconcerting. Many visitors plan itineraries assuming the motorway network will provide fast, reliable connections between major cities and tourist regions such as the Pennines, the Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales. When those assumptions are disrupted, onward plans for hotel check-ins, tour departures or attraction bookings can quickly unravel.
The section between Simister Island and Heywood is particularly significant for visitors staying in central Manchester and heading east towards Yorkshire or the Lancashire hills. A closure here can require substantial detours via local roads or alternative motorway links, often adding both distance and time. Without local knowledge, it is easy to find yourself funneled into already congested town centres or narrow rural lanes that are ill suited to a surge in diverted traffic.
For international visitors who may be unfamiliar with British motorway protocols, clear communication is vital. Overhead matrix signs, radio travel bulletins and navigation apps all play a role in conveying what has happened and how best to respond. The key for travellers is to stay informed, remain flexible with schedules and build in contingency time for unexpected delays when planning cross-country journeys.
Planning Ahead: How to Reduce the Impact on Your Journey
While no motorist can predict exactly when an incident like an HGV fire will occur, there are steps drivers and travellers can take to reduce the disruption such events can cause. Checking live traffic updates before departure is essential, particularly when using routes such as the M62 that are prone to congestion and weather-related disruption. Many navigation apps now integrate official traffic data, providing real-time alerts about closures and delays.
Building extra time into your itinerary can make the difference between a stressful scramble and a manageable delay. For important commitments such as flights, train connections or event tickets, consider departing earlier than strictly necessary or choosing schedules that give a comfortable buffer. Travellers staying in Manchester and planning day trips across the Pennines may also wish to identify rail alternatives as a backup, particularly during peak times or adverse weather.
For those driving hire cars or rental vehicles, it is sensible to familiarise yourself with the broader motorway network around Manchester. Understanding that Simister Island links the M60, M62 and M66, for example, can help you appreciate how quickly an incident there can impact multiple routes and why diversion advice may send you several junctions out of your way. Keeping a physical road atlas in the vehicle, even in an age of smartphone navigation, can be invaluable when digital signals falter or rapid re-planning is required.
Looking Ahead: Infrastructure Strain and Traveller Expectations
The M62 incident between Simister Island and Heywood once again highlights the strain under which northern England’s motorway infrastructure operates. Sections designed decades ago now carry far more traffic than originally envisaged, particularly heavy freight vehicles moving goods across the country. When something goes wrong, the system has limited spare capacity to absorb the shock, and motorists bear the brunt in the form of lengthy tailbacks and cascading delays.
For regular users and visitors alike, these realities mean adjusting expectations and travel habits. Journeys that appear short on a map can take significantly longer in practice, especially at peak times or on days when weather conditions are poor. Building flexibility into plans, considering off-peak travel and remaining ready to switch modes where possible will all help mitigate the impact of incidents like the HGV fire on the M62.
As authorities continue to review and upgrade key interchanges and motorway sections around Greater Manchester, the long-term goal is a network better able to cope with both daily traffic volumes and sudden shocks. Until those improvements are fully in place, however, travellers should expect that serious incidents will, on occasion, bring parts of the system grinding to a halt. Being informed, prepared and patient remains the best strategy for navigating disruption when it arises.