BLUEPRINTS for a new loop on the M60 could provide an answer to the missing link at Simister Island.

Motorists wanting to travel along the route from the eastbound to southbound legs have to come off the carriageway near Prestwich and queue at the roundabout with the M66.

Because of a quirk in the M60's design, drivers would otherwise find themselves on the M62 to Leeds.

Now a loop road - and new bridges - are being proposed by Highways England to prevent such delays for the estimated 90,000 drivers who use the intersection every day.

An eight-week consultation exercise is beginning today over the proposals, which would also see new slip roads engineered.

Jim O’Sullivan, Highways England’s chief executive, said: "We want to provide quicker and more reliable journeys for drivers across the North.

“Simister Island is one of England’s busiest motorway junctions, and the improvements we’re planning will make it easier for people travelling between the M60, M62 and M66.

“We now need your views to help make that much-needed motorway upgrade a reality.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps added: "Today’s announcement is a step forwards in making the M60 easier to use, less confusing and more efficient for drivers.

“I welcome this vital improvement which has the potential to cut journey times, improve reliability and boost businesses in the North.”

Further proposals being put forward as part of the consultation include creating a new two-lane link road for drivers travelling from the northbound to the westbound stretches of the M60 at Simister Island, as well as a new link road from the eastbound M60 onto the northbound M66.

The hard shoulder could also be converted to a permanent extra lane along the mile-long stretch of the M60 between junctions 17 and 18 to improve the flow of traffic, providing five lanes in both directions.

Peter Molyneux, Major Roads Director at Transport for the North, said: "Simister Island is a well-known anomaly in the area which causes delay and disruption for thousands of vehicles every day.

“It is included in our Northern Infrastructure Pipeline as a vital scheme for improving road connections in the North West, and on completion the upgrade will better serve local traffic and improve reliability for east-west journeys across our region.

“This consultation is welcome news as the next stage in progressing this scheme and we urge everyone to give their views.”

The consultation is being conducted via a series of telephone and online chats, where people will be able to speak directly to a member of the project team. Ten thousand consultation brochures are also being posted to homes and businesses near Simister Island.

The project team will be available to answer calls on 0117 2444 061 every Tuesday for four weeks from Tuesday, June 30, between 11am and 7pm, as well as on Saturday, July 11, and Saturday, July 18, during the same times. Online chats will take place on the project web page between 10am and 5pm on Thursday, July 9, and Thursday, July 16.

Highways bosses say a preferred option for the scheme is due to be announced in the winter once the consultation responses have been considered and, if the project is approved by the government, construction work could start by 2024.

You can find out more about the proposals and complete a consultation response form at www.highwaysengland.co.uk/m60-j18-simister-island