Is the M61 closed? Quick answers
Checked 14:00 on Tuesday 3 November 2026.
Is the M61 closed tonight?
Yes. The M61 has 1 full closure planned tonight (Tue 3 Nov, 18:00 to 06:00): Northbound Jct 8 Carriageway Closure between exit and entry slips, 21:00 to 05:00.
Tonight's M61 closures ›Is the M61 closed this weekend?
No full closures. The M61 stays open this weekend (Fri 6 Nov 18:00 to Mon 9 Nov 06:00). 3 lane or slip road closures are planned: Northbound Jct 9 entry slip road closure, Sat 21:00 to 05:00; and Northbound Rivington exit and entry slip road closures, Sun 21:00 to 06:00 and 1 more.
This weekend's M61 closures ›Are there roadworks on the M61 right now?
Yes. 2 sets of works are running on the M61 at 14:00.
Works running now ›From National Highways' closure report and live feed. Full closure means the carriageway is shut; lane and slip road closures leave it open. Times can change, so check before you set off.
M61 closures tonightTue 3 Nov, 18:00 to 06:00
Yes. The M61 has 1 full closure planned tonight (Tue 3 Nov, 18:00 to 06:00): Northbound Jct 8 Carriageway Closure between exit and entry slips, 21:00 to 05:00.
Full closureNorthbound21:00 to 05:00
Jct 8 Carriageway Closure between exit and entry slips
Overall Scheme Details: M61 northbound Rivington Servies to Jnc 8 - lane closure for carriageway - reconstruction/renewal on behalf of National Highways
M61 closures this weekendFri 6 Nov 18:00 to Mon 9 Nov 06:00
No full closures. The M61 stays open this weekend (Fri 6 Nov 18:00 to Mon 9 Nov 06:00). 3 lane or slip road closures are planned: Northbound Jct 9 entry slip road closure, Sat 21:00 to 05:00; and Northbound Rivington exit and entry slip road closures, Sun 21:00 to 06:00 and 1 more.
Slip road closureNorthboundSat 7 Nov, 21:00 to 05:00
Jct 9 entry slip road closure
Overall Scheme Details: M61 northbound Jct 8 to Jct 9 - lane closure for carriageway - reconstruction/renewal on behalf of National Highways
Slip road closureNorthboundSun 8 Nov, 21:00 to 06:00
Rivington exit and entry slip road closures
Overall Scheme Details: M61 northbound J6 to J8 - carriageway closure for drainage on behalf of National Highways
Slip road closureNorthboundSun 8 Nov, 21:00 to 05:00
Jct 9 entry slip road closure
Overall Scheme Details: M61 northbound Jct 8 to Jct 9 - lane closure for carriageway - reconstruction/renewal on behalf of National Highways
M61 roadworks running now
Moderate
Southbound
The M61 southbound between junctions J6 and J5
🔨 Roadworks
✅ The event is expected to clear around 18:00 on 3 November 2026
Minor
Northbound
The M61 northbound between junctions J5 and J6
🔨 Roadworks
✅ The event is expected to clear around 18:00 on 3 November 2026
Severe
Southbound Starting soon
The M61 southbound exit slip at junction J9
🔨 Roadworks
🚦 1 of 2 lanes closed ✅ The event is expected to clear around 06:00 on 17 November 2026
Severe
Southbound Starting soon
The M61 southbound between junctions with the M6 and M65
🔨 Roadworks
🚦 1 of 2 lanes closed ✅ The event is expected to clear around 06:00 on 17 November 2026
Severe
Southbound Starting soon
The M61 southbound between junctions J2 and J1
🔨 Roadworks
✅ The event is expected to clear around 18:00 on 10 November 2026
M61 closures in the next 2 weeksOther nights, as far ahead as National Highways have published (to Mon 9 Nov)
Wednesday 4 Nov night · 1 closure
Full closureNorthbound21:00 to 05:00
Jct 8 Carriageway Closure between exit and entry slips
Overall Scheme Details: M61 northbound Rivington Servies to Jnc 8 - lane closure for carriageway - reconstruction/renewal on behalf of National Highways
Thursday 5 Nov night · 2 closures
Full closureNorthbound21:00 to 05:00
Jct 8 Carriageway Closure between exit and entry slips
Overall Scheme Details: M61 northbound Rivington Servies to Jnc 8 - lane closure for carriageway - reconstruction/renewal on behalf of National Highways
Full closureSouthbound22:00 to 06:00
Jct 3 to 2 carriageway closure
Overall Scheme Details: M61 both directions J3 to J1 - carriageway closure for barriers - permanent on behalf of National Highways
❓ M61 roadworks — Frequently Asked Questions
Are there roadworks on the M61 right now?
Yes — National Highways is reporting 2 sets of roadworks running on the M61.
Is the M61 closed tonight?
Yes. The M61 has 1 full closure planned tonight (Tue 3 Nov, 18:00 to 06:00): Northbound Jct 8 Carriageway Closure between exit and entry slips, 21:00 to 05:00.
Is the M61 closed this weekend?
No full closures. The M61 stays open this weekend (Fri 6 Nov 18:00 to Mon 9 Nov 06:00). 3 lane or slip road closures are planned: Northbound Jct 9 entry slip road closure, Sat 21:00 to 05:00; and Northbound Rivington exit and entry slip road closures, Sun 21:00 to 06:00 and 1 more.
When are M61 roadworks usually carried out?
Most National Highways lane closures on the M61 run overnight and are lifted before the morning peak (07:00–09:00). Full carriageway closures are usually weekend nights, with a signed diversion.
🛣️ Data from National Highways ·
All UK roadworks ·
Overnight closures ·
M61 live traffic
Roadworks change at short notice. Always follow signs and signals on the road.
UK Traffic Updates