WARNINGS were given to Bury motorists as high winds battered the borough.
On Friday the Highways Agency issued an amber alert and urged drivers in the North West and North West of England to be “cautious” with strong winds forecast until at least 3pm on Friday.
On the same day the Met Office sent out an amber “be prepared” alert to north Wales and northern England ahead of predicted gusts of up to 80mph.
Friday morning saw a fallen tree shut the M60 clockwise between junction nine and junction ten for the Trafford Centre.
The Highways Agency also avoided high-sided vehicles to avoid the stretch of the M60 from Barton Bridge to the M62 at junction 12.
The junction of the M61 and the M65 at Bamber Bridge was also busy and there were problems on the motorway network in Merseyside, Cumbria and other parts of Lancashire.
Northern Rail reported delays of up to 30 minutes between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport due to a broken down train at East Didsbury. A Highways Agency spokesman said: “Road users driving high-sided vehicles, riding motorcycles or towing caravans are being urged to check traffic and weather conditions before setting out on journeys and to heed any advice such as speed restrictions once they are on the strategic road network.
“The Highways Agency, in conjunction with the Met Office, strongly advises that these types of vehicles avoid, if at all possible, the following sections during the severe weather alert.”
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