M60 Junction 18: Simister Island (M62 to Leeds, M66 to Bury)
M60 J18: Simister Interchange is where the M62 and the M66 meet the M60. Viewed from above, it is one of the more symmetrical junctions on the motorway: almost a perfect circle, with an almost straight criss-cross running through the middle and evenly curved slip roads coming in on each side.
The village of Simister lies beside it, along with Kirkhams and Besses o' th' Barn, and Whitefield is about a mile and a half to the west. Heaton Park Animal Centre is about a mile south-east, Alkrington Hall about two and a half miles east, and Heywood station about three and a half miles north-east.
Whitefield Interchange (J17) is about a mile south-west, and Rhodes Interchange (J19) about a mile east.
Check this junction now: live M60 speed flow map · latest M60 traffic news · M60 trends
How busy is the M60 at junction 18?
The Department for Transport counts the traffic on the stretches either side of this junction. In 2025 the stretch from J17 to J18 carried 166,561 vehicles a day, the 5th busiest of the 14 junction-to-junction stretches we publish for the M60.
| Stretch | All vehicles | Lorries | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| J17 to J18 | 166,561 | 18,615 | 1.5 |
| J19 to J18 | 122,752 | 5,612 | 1.4 |
Collisions near junction 18
The police recorded 7 injury collisions on the M60 within about 2.5 km of this junction in 2024 and 2025 (1 fatal, 1 serious, 5 slight); 3 on a wet or icy road; 1 in darkness; 4 in the morning or evening rush hour. Figures: Department for Transport, STATS19 police collision records.
Heading north-east for Rochdale, Leeds and Hull? Take the M62 here: see M62 Junction 18. Carrying on round Manchester, stay on the M60.
Birch Services is about 3 miles along the M62 towards Leeds (see Birch Services).
- Junction M60 J18
- Signed for M62 / M66 · Simister Island (M62 to Leeds, M66 to Bury)
- Next junction clockwise J19, Heywood / Middleton
- Next junction anticlockwise J17, Prestwich (Bury New Road)
Live traffic at M60 junction 18
The speed strip below shows the M60 around junction 18, both directions, from National Highways’ live data, checked every five minutes.
Live traffic speed flow: M60 Junctions 17 to 19
Untick all three to see just the speeds. We show the important overhead signs and the mandatory speed limits (red ring); see every overhead sign.
Go to our live M60 traffic speed flow map ›
NOTE: The speed flow, overhead sign messages or other information shown on our live traffic speed flow map is updated every few minutes. We cross check the data and aim to provide warnings if there could be a delay or an inaccurate speed reading. There can be occasions, beyond our control, and despite our best efforts where the speed flow could be inaccurate. We cannot therefore guarantee the speed you can expect on any stretch of the motorway is always accurately shown. However we hope you will find our live traffic speed flow map a useful tool in trying to plan your journey. Safe driving.
All the latest M60 traffic news →Live M60 traffic speed flow map →
Around M60 Junction 18: Towns and Places on the Map
| Place | What it is | From the junction |
|---|---|---|
| Heaton Park Animal Centre | Attraction | About 1 mile south-east |
| Heaton Park Fair Ground | Attraction | About 1 mile south |
| Alkrington Hall | Historic house or castle | About 2.5 miles east |
| Clifton | Railway station | About 2.5 miles south-west |
| Harpurhey Shopping Centre | Shopping | About 3 miles south-east |
| Times Retail Park | Shopping | About 3.5 miles north-east |
| Heywood | Railway station | About 3.5 miles north-east |
| Broadhurst Park | Venue | About 4 miles south-east |
Junctions either side
Live traffic news at M60 Junction 18
Incidents and roadworks between Junction 17 and Junction 19 that we are aware of.
Mobile hardshoulder closure Clockwise and Anticlockwise
00:51 (12:51am)22 Oct 2026reported just now
- Location
- M60 anti-clockwise between J1 and J27
- Direction
- Anticlockwise
- Lanes closed
- Hard shoulder closed
- Reason
- Litter clearance
- Schedule
- 09:00 (9am) Tue 7 Apr 2026 → 23:59 (11:59pm) Thu 1 Apr 2027
This is the news for Junction 18 only, not the whole M60. For the rest of the motorway see all the latest M60 traffic news, the overhead signs and the speed limits in force now.
Updated 00:52 (12:52am) Thu 22 Oct 2026