The M62 was shut for hours today due to a lorry fire.

Pictures from the scene show a HGV engulfed in flames and a huge plume of black smoke between junction 21 for Milnrow and junction 22 for Rishworth Moor at around 11.30am.

Both carriageways were closed for hours following the closure. The westbound carriageway reopened at 3pm but two lanes of the the eastbound carriageway remain shut with major delays in the area.

Drivers are being advised to avoid the area. Some motorists have reported being stuck in their vehicles for over three hours.

There are major queues on the surrounding roads as drivers bid to avoid the M62 closure, with long delays on the A672 in Oldham and the A58 in Rochdale in particular.

Highways England posted: “#M62 westbound J22 #Denshaw #Ripponden #Saddleworth #A672 to J21 #Milnrow #Shaw #A640 We are currently in the process of closing the carrigeway to assist @HighwaysNWEST with an ongoing vehicle fire.”

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