Motorists are dealing with a serious M62 delay after a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) burst into flames earlier today, triggering lane closures and severe congestion between Junction 18 (M60) and Junction 19 (Heywood).
The incident was reported at around 6am, with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service attending the scene.
National Highways has warned drivers to expect delays of more than two hours above normal travel time while recovery work continues.
The disruption is affecting commuters, delivery drivers, and anyone travelling eastbound through Greater Manchester during the busy morning rush.
What caused the M62 delay this morning?
A vehicle fire involving an HGV is responsible for the current motorway disruption.
According to National Highways, the lorry fire led to traffic being temporarily held while emergency crews worked to put out the flames. Although traffic has now started moving again, the motorway remains partially restricted.
Lanes one and two are still closed, meaning only two out of four lanes remain open eastbound.
M62 eastbound halted by HGV fire near Heywood
An HGV caught fire this morning on the M62 eastbound between junction 18 (Simister Island) and junction 19 (Heywood).
All traffic was held while emergency services dealt with the blaze, with fire engines attending the scene.
Two… pic.twitter.com/qyXZiroM2b
— Yapp (@YappAppLtd) February 10, 2026
This has created heavy congestion stretching back towards the M60 interchange, a key motorway connection for Manchester and surrounding towns.
Where is the traffic worst on the M62?
The worst delays are currently reported on the M62 eastbound between:
- Junction 18 (M60)
- Junction 19 (Heywood)
Drivers are seeing long queues forming in the area, with traffic cameras showing congestion building quickly through the morning.
Because this stretch links directly with the M60 orbital motorway, the knock-on effect could spread into wider parts of Greater Manchester if delays continue.
How long will the M62 delays last?
National Highways has warned that delays are already exceeding two hours above usual journey times, although recovery work is still ongoing.
Once the burnt-out vehicle is removed, teams will also need to check the road surface for damage caused by heat, fuel, or debris. That inspection could extend the disruption further, depending on what they find.
If the carriageway requires repairs, lane closures may remain in place longer than expected.
What have National Highways and fire crews said?
National Highways issued a full statement confirming the timeline and warning drivers of major disruption.
National Highways said: “A HGV fire was reported to National Highways at approximately 6am this morning, resulting in traffic being temporarily held while Manchester Fire and Rescue work to extinguish the fire.
Traffic has since been released under a lane 1 and 2 closure while recovery is currently working on the scene.”
It also warned of serious delays and advised drivers to plan ahead: “Heavy delays exceeding 2 hours above the profiled journey time are building in the area.
If this impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.”
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue crews remain on site as recovery teams work to clear the scene safely.
How bad is congestion compared to a normal morning?
On a typical weekday morning, the M62 between Junctions 18 and 19 can already experience slow-moving traffic due to commuter flow and freight vehicles heading towards Yorkshire and the Humber.
Traffic is temporarily being held on the #M62 eastbound between J18 #M60 and J19 #Heywood due to a HGV fire. @manchesterfire are on scene.
Delays of at least 30 minutes on approach. pic.twitter.com/WaNBSnv122
— National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) February 10, 2026
However, today’s lorry fire has pushed disruption far beyond normal levels.
Current travel impact (as reported this morning)
| Situation | Typical Delay | Today’s Reported Delay |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rush-hour traffic | 10–25 minutes | 45 minutes to 2+ hours |
| Lane restrictions | Rare | Lanes 1 and 2 closed |
| Traffic flow | Slow but moving | Stop-start with long queues |
This makes the current M62 delay one of the more serious motorway disruptions seen in the area in recent weeks.
Why do lorry fires cause such major motorway disruption?
Even when the fire is contained quickly, an HGV fire often causes wider motorway problems because:
- Fire crews need space to work safely
- Recovery vehicles must remove a heavy burnt-out lorry
- Road surfaces can crack or melt from extreme heat
- Fuel spills may require clean-up before reopening lanes
Unlike a normal breakdown, these incidents usually require multiple agencies on scene, meaning closures often last much longer.
What should drivers do if travelling on the M62 today?
Drivers heading through Greater Manchester are being urged to avoid the M62 eastbound if possible.
If you must travel, consider:
- Allowing at least two extra hours
- Using alternative routes via the A580 East Lancashire Road
- Checking live traffic updates before leaving
- Delaying travel until later in the day, if possible
National Highways recommends checking updates through Traffic England, travel apps, or its official X (Twitter) feeds.
Why does this matter today?
This part of the M62 is a major link between Manchester, Rochdale, Oldham, and West Yorkshire. The disruption is likely to hit:
- People travelling to work in Manchester and the surrounding areas
- Logistics and delivery companies relying on motorway access
- Time-sensitive freight journeys across the North of England
- School-run traffic and local A-road diversions
With only two lanes open, congestion may continue to build until recovery work is fully completed.
