Traffic was heavy on the eastbound carriageway of the M62 and in both directions on the M60 as a result of the smash, said to have involved three vehicles near junction 19 for Heywood, Greater Manchester. Congestion was back to junction 18 for the M60 link.

       Manchester Evening News reports traffic was also slow clockwise from junction 16 for Clifton, Greater Manchester, and busy anticlockwise from junction 20 for Blackley, Manchester.

       In a post on Twitter, a spokesperson for Transport for Greater Manchester said: "M62 J18 to J19 eastbound.

       "Lanes three and four are closed.

       "This is due to an RTC."

       An update from Inrix added: "Two lanes closed and queueing traffic for five miles due to accident on M62 Eastbound between J18 M66 J4 (Simister Island) and J19 A6046 Middleton Road (Heywood).

       "Lanes three and four (of four) are closed."

       Motorway cameras showed bumper-to-bumper jams on both motorways.

       However, those on the M60 anticlockwise were advised to leave at junction 19 and take A4065 northbound through Bowlee to join M62 at junction 19.

       There were no advised diversions on the M60 clockwise at this stage.