Motorists faced significant delays after a section of the East Lancashire Road (A580) was closed for several hours overnight and into Tuesday morning due to an ongoing police incident near Wigan.
The major route, which serves as a key transport link between Greater Manchester and Merseyside, was initially shut in both directions between Millfield Lane and the M6 junction at Haydock. According to traffic monitoring service Inrix, the closure was first reported at around 11 p.m. on Monday evening.
By Tuesday morning, the westbound carriageway remained closed between the M6 junction and Kenyons Lane South, causing traffic congestion to build in surrounding areas as commuters sought alternative routes. Traffic maps showed delays extending back from the closure, with local roads also experiencing increased volumes of vehicles.
Drivers were advised to allow extra travel time and avoid the affected area where possible while emergency services managed the incident.
The disruption continued throughout the early morning rush hour before the road was fully reopened at approximately 7:45 a.m., allowing traffic to return to normal flow.
Authorities have not yet released details regarding the nature of the police incident. Merseyside Police have been contacted for further information, and updates are expected once additional details become available.
The incident highlights the significant impact that closures on the A580 can have, given the road’s importance as one of the region’s busiest transport corridors.