"Much-needed" changes to a "dangerous" borough motorway junction have taken a step forward.

National Highways has previously lodged major proposals to improve Simister Island, which connects the M60, M62 and M66, in a huge development expected to cost between £207m and £340m.

And in an update this month, the Planning Inspectorate has confirmed it has accepted the application for a development consent order (DCO) for "detailed examination".

The examination stage will last up to six months, in which time the DCO application will be examined against national policy.

Feedback from the public and stakeholders about the plans for the junction, which is reportedly used by 90,000 vehicles a day, will also be assessed.

It has previously been said that work on the development is hoped to begin late next year.

As part of the changes, a new loop road (the "Northern Loop") would be built to provide a new link between the M60 eastbound to the M60 southbound. This would allow drivers to continue along the M60 without having to leave the motorway, navigate the roundabout and rejoin the M60.

The M66 southbound through the junction would be widened from two lanes to four lanes, and the M60 northbound to the M60 westbound link road will be extended from one lane to two.

The M66 southbound slip road would be realigned to accommodate the Northern Loop structure. This includes a new overbridge where the slip road crosses the Northern Loop and the realignment of the left turn lane to the M62 eastbound.

Under the plans, the hard shoulder along the existing four lane controlled motorway between junction 17 and junction 18 of the M60 will be converted into running lanes on both sides.

READ NEXT > Upper floors of former cotton mill set to be converted into 42 flats

READ NEXT > Pilsworth stink has gone, says landfill site operators

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to the Bury Times morning newsletter as well as our breaking news alerts

A new hard shoulder on the M60 between the junctions in the existing verge would also be constructed for both sides.

Cllr Elliot Moss, who represents Holyrood which covers the interchange area, said: "It will certainly be a benefit for road users and be a much-needed improvement as it is a dangerous junction.

"It is also quite clear that we have to involve the residents in the process."

He added that it is important for National Highways to minimise disruption as much as possible around the area as the development takes shape.

Cllr Russell Bernstein, the borough Conservatives' leader who represents Pilkington Park, also recognised it is vital to reduce the impact of the works on motorists, but that the development will be a major boost long term. 

He said: "I am supportive of the plans, it will be a benefit to the area.

"In the short term there will be disruption, but hopefully that can be minimised.

"The development will be for the better for us all. We know how congested it gets and the plans address that."

He also said the consultations led by Highways England have been positive.

New signage, street lighting, renewed traffic signals and new gantries would be implemented along with drainage works.

People can make representations relating to the plans up to Friday, July 5. For more information about the criteria about making representations, contact 0303 444 5000 or search for the scheme on the National Highways website.