Speed restrictions on M67 motorway finally set to go

The speed restrictions that have been holding up drivers on the M67 for two years are finally going.

The 50mph zones along the M67 have been in place since June 2023, slowing down commuters. The section of road between the M60 Junction 24 (Denton Island) and Junction 1A (Denton) will be removed completely. 

In addition, the temporary 50mph speed limit is also being removed eastbound on the M67 between Junctions 1A (Denton) and 3 (Hyde). 

Restrictions in place westbound will be removed at a later date. 

The speed cap was implemented to enable the £23m National Highways scheme to replace St Anne’s Bridge at Denton to be undertaken safely.

The ageing bridge is being replaced due to long-term safety concerns. The new bridge will allow unrestricted access for all road users at the location, including eastbound access to the M67 with work due to be completed next year.

Mangat Bansal, National Highways’ Programme Delivery Manager, said: “This is another key milestone as our works to complete the bridge continue.

“The traffic management has been in place to keep the travelling public and our workforce safe during the replacement of the bridge.

“Our work on the bridge continues to make good progress. Bearings that help the bridge move slightly and safely with traffic and temperature changes have been installed.

“We’ve also added concrete around the supporting walls to help strengthen the new bridge and filled in the large, excavated areas on either side of the bridge.”

Recent works follow the successful installation in April of the final eight out of 10 steel beams weighing a combined 250 tonnes which will support the new bridge deck. 

The next phase of work will see the construction of the bridge deck where traffic runs, while utility companies will also return to the site to make final connections within the bridge.

For safety reasons these works will involve overnight closures of the motorway between 9pm and 5am. 

The first closures will be:

Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5
Friday, July 11 and Saturday, July 12