Routes around Salford are exceptionally busy this afternoon after this morning’s tanker crash and chemical spill.
At around 9am the motorway was shut between Junction 15 for the Swinton Interchange and Junction 17 for Prestwich.
At around 3.30pm North West Motorway Police announced that three lanes of the motorway had been re-opened between Junction 16 at Pendlebury and Junction 17 at Prestwich.
M60 c/w j16-17 UPDATE- lane 2,3 and 4 now open, lane 1 remains closed for now. Thank you for your patience during a complicated incident
— NW Motorway Police (@NWmwaypolice) January 6, 2016
There’s still knock-on delays across the road network as motorists try to find alternative routes. 
Lane one was re-opened shortly before 4pm.
It’s thought the tanker, carrying 28 tonnes of caustic soda, hit the central reservation barrier before shedding its load.
No-one was injured in the accident but gallons of the toxic liquid chemical, which is used in household and industrial cleaning, spilled across the carriageway.
Emergency clean-up crews were called in from Greater Manchester Fire and the Highways Agency while the North West Motorway Police closed the debris-scattered route.
Traffic is queuing and heavier than usual on the A580 East Lancs inbound to Manchester between the East Lancs Road and the A572 Worsley Road junction.
The A6 Manchester Road is very busy between Swinton and Irlams o’th Height. Readers are also reporting heavy traffic on cut-through routes.
Read: M60 to stay closed at Swinton J15 throughout Wednesday after chemical spill
Read: Tanker crash chemical spill sees M60 closed at Pendlebury
Sharon Kay posted on the SalfordOnline.com Facebook group: “Grid lock from Swinton to the roundabout on the height avoid if possible.”
First Manchester is reporting long delays in both directions on its 36 and 37 bus services between Bolton, Little Hulton, Walkden, Swinton, Irlams o’th Height, into Pendleton and Manchester city centre.
36, 37, 8 srv – We are expecting major delays on these services for the rest of today due to the M60 closure. Please allow extra time, ^CB
— First Manchester (@FirstManchester) January 6, 2016
A spokesperson for the Highways Agency said: “The motorway re-opened after work throughout the afternoon to free traffic stuck behind the incident, transfer the tanker load to another tanker and crane-lift and remove the damaged tanker using a low loader.
“Work to sweep and repair the carriageway and fix the central reservation barrier which was damaged in a collision with the low loader, also took place.
Traffic is likely to remain heavy around the area throughout this evening’s peak travel period. Drivers are urged to check traffic conditions before setting on on journeys if they wish to avoid congestion.”
