I walked through the ‘eyesore’ pedestrian tunnel under the M60 and it was so grim I nearly didn’t make it to the other side

A tunnel under the M60 has been has been the subject of debate this week after it was left out of plans to upgrade the Simister Island interchange.

A tunnel under the M60 has been has been the subject of debate this week after it was left out of plans to upgrade the Simister Island interchange.

Described by campaigners as ‘key link’ between communities communities north and south of the M60, the Haweswater underpass provides a presently
little used pedestrian link between the Besses o’ th’ Barn area of Whitefield and Prestwich, on the opposite side of the motorway.

Its current state is described by Transport Action Network (TAN) as ‘flooded, muddy, unfit for walking on, and an eyesore as it’s covered with graffiti’.
It is also unlit at night, with no cameras and poor sight lines.

However, the group, who campaign to help communities seek better transport and active travel, have a vision a bright future for the cross-motorway route.

Rebecca Lush, from TAN said  it ‘has the potential to provide a green way for children to walk and cycle to schools, and for local people to access leisure facilities’, including the nearby Heaton Park.

Last month, the secretary of state for transport asked for more information about the underpass as part of National Highways’ (NH) huge infrastructure investment project to upgrade Simister island, which the Government is currently deliberating on.

That scheme would include a new loop road and the widening of the M60 to five lanes either side between Simister and Prestwich.

National Highways, who own the land where the tunnel is said that the Haweswater underpass would not be included in the Simister upgrade scheme but they would seek funding for the improvements to the tunnel area.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service visited the tunnel and asked local residents about its future:

The route to the Haweswater underpass, known to locals as ‘the tunnel’, begins by passing through a green gate on Heybrook Close, in the Hillock estate area of Besses.

After a few paces the path narrows and the south entrance of the underpass comes into view, along with a lot of litter, including broken glass and dozens
of plastic bottle and beer cans.

Most of that rubbish doesn’t give the impression of being freshly dropped.

The tunnel itself, over which eight lanes of the M60 flow, is around 70 metres long and has an uneven, dirt service. The walls are covered in brightly coloured graffiti and discarded to the side a small green bike with a buckled back wheel sits forlornly.

Even in broad daylight, visibility is poor once inside with no lighting whatsoever and the ground is uneven and strewn with more litter and in one part, thick wire cable.

It was approaching the Prestwich side of  the tunnel that negotiating it on foot became more of a problem. A large section is ankle deep mud, even after one of the driest springs on record and it was only by precariously balancing on a couple of planks of wood that my trainers didn’t fall foul of the quagmire.

Once at the other side what struck me was how rapid the change in environment was, with the path, although overgrown in parts, leading through a patch of woodland and a pleasant green area before I exited on to Parrenthorn Road.

Although I was only a few dozen metres from the M60 carriageway and around 500m west of Simister Island there was a sense of peace, with the
constant hum of the motorway traffic only a minor distraction.

My impression was the route does have major potential as a pedestrian link to connect the two sides of the M60 but at present it’s an unsightly, and slightly scary, mess.

One thing I would never consider is passing through after dark.

The Prestwich side of the tunnel is close to both St Margaret’s primary and Parrenthorn secondary schools.

Presently, the only pedestrian route from one side of the M60 to the other is the bridge on Sandgate Road, a short distance away.

After making my way back to the Whitefield side I bump into Kimberley Kirkham, a long time Hillock estate resident who runs groups for people with dementia in the area.

She said she was ‘out to visit one of my old ladies’ but stopped for a chat about the tunnel. She said it would be a ‘great idea’ to upgrade the tunnel and make it safer for pedestrians.
“Walking over the bridge at Sandgate makes me anxious with the fast flowing traffic underneath,” she said.

“There are mums, dads and kids crossing over there on their way to school and they have to handle bikes, buggies, prams and all-sorts while walking above eight lanes of motorway.

“Folk around here don’t use the tunnel but if it was safe and brighter I think they would. It’s a great idea. “I think a lot of people would prefer to go under the M60 than over the bridge but it would have to be a lot more pleasant than it is now.”

Stu Smith, 53 has lived on the Hillock estate for 19 years and was out on the street cleaning his car.

He said: “Very few people use the tunnel. “The last time I went through must have been five years ago.

“My son used to go through as a short cut to school but he came back once with his shoes ruined with the mud so stopped.

“I was only thinking when I saw the youngsters walking to Parklife at Heaton Park the other week that there was a short cut they could use with the tunnel.

“I think it would be good if it was made safe and a proper walking route.
“I’ve got mates just across the motorway and it would be easier to get there. It would better connect the community.”

In its case for the the Simister Island upgrade National Highways, said: “Opportunities to improve the Haweswater underpass are being investigated.
“However, as the scheme does not directly impact the underpass any enhancements do not form part of the application for development consent.”

Rebecca Lush of Transport Action Network, who have also sent in a submission about the motorway plans, said: “It is very disappointing that National Highways has failed to include improving the unusable Haweswater Underpass in the M60 Simister Island scheme design, and has refused to commit funding.

“This illustrates the lack of priority it gives to improving facilities and access for local people.

“The underpass links communities both sides of the M60, and has the potential to provide a green way for children to walk and cycle to schools, and for local people to access leisure facilities.

“National Highways were first asked to improve the underpass, funded as part of this scheme, by Transport for the North and Transport for Greater Manchester during a 2023 consultation.

“They’ve now admitted they have not allocated funding to deliver these vitally needed improvements, and instead state a vague aspiration to apply for funds.”