THE M60 Barton Bridge and the southbound M6 Thelwall Viaduct in Cheshire have re-opened under speed restrictions following today's gales.

The M60 Barton Bridge between junctions 10 and 11 of the motorway was closed in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions following a collision between a lorry and a car at around 6pm on the anti-clockwise carriageway.

There were no serious injuries in the incident and drivers stuck in traffic behind it were quickly released from the scene.

Due to continuing high winds, the bridge remained closed until shortly after 11pm. Work to remove the lorry and car involved in the collision and carry out repairs was completed earlier in the evening and wind speeds monitored before the bridge was re-opened with the gales shifting north.

The southbound bridge of Thelwall Viaduct between junctions 21 and 20 along the M6 in Cheshire was also re-opened at around 11pm as wind speeds dropped.

Wind speeds along the northbound Thelwall Viaduct bridge which is more exposed will continue to be monitored before the carriageway can be re-opened.

The two Viaduct bridges were closed at around 3.30pm today as a precautionary measure as gusts of up to 69 mph were registered by bridge wind gauges - with speeds of 74mph at one point after the closure.

Elsewhere along the M60 drivers are being advised that the central reservation barrier and part of the carriageway along the M60 junction 24 near Denton Island roundabout will need repair at some stage today after a lorry blew over yesterday afternoon. The motorway remained open throughout the day but with lane closures.

Although wind speeds are expected to drop slowly overnight drivers are urged to check travel conditions before setting out on journeys in the morning The Highways Agency provides live traffic information via its website www.highways.gov.uk/traffic, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile platforms, such as the iPhone. Local Twitter services are also available at @HAtraffic_nwest and @HAtraffic_pen9 for transpennine routes.

Providing they can do so safely, road users can also call the Highways Agency Information Line (0300 123 5000) to keep up to date with road conditions.