A serious crash involving a van and a lorry has shut down a section of the M6 motorway in both directions, causing significant delays for commuters. The collision resulted in a vehicle fire, further complicating the situation and requiring the attendance of all emergency services, including Merseyside Fire and Rescue, North West Motorway Police, and National Highways Traffic Officers.
The incident occurred between junctions 23 (Newton Le Willows) and 24 (Ashton In Makerfield) in Greater Manchester/Merseyside. This stretch of the motorway is a critical route for both local and long-distance travel, exacerbating the impact of the closure on commuters and businesses alike.
M6 closure leads to severe congestion
The motorway was first closed just after 10:20 p.m. on Sunday and remains shut as of 6 a.m. on Monday, October 19. Diversion routes are in place, but motorists are advised to avoid the area due to the extensive delays. The closure has led to standstill traffic in some areas, with live images showing long queues stretching between junctions 22 and 23.
A National Highways spokesperson stated that a police collision investigation is underway and is expected to continue for several hours. Once the investigation is complete, recovery agents will remove the vehicles involved. This process is critical to ensure the safety of the road surface, which will then be assessed for any damage before the motorway can reopen.
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A Merseyside Police spokesperson confirmed the collision occurred at around 9:55 p.m. on Sunday, October 18. The northbound carriageway remains closed, and motorists are advised to avoid the route. The spokesperson thanked the public for their patience while emergency services work to resolve the incident.
Live images show heavily congested traffic along the M6, with delays of up to 60 minutes reported. These delays are particularly severe during rush hour, with queues building rapidly as commuters attempt to find alternative routes. The diversion routes, while necessary, have added to the congestion on local roads.
The coordinated response of these agencies has been key in ensuring the safety of motorists and minimizing further disruption.
Diversion Routes and Ongoing Delays
Diversion routes remain in place for both northbound and southbound traffic. Northbound drivers are advised to follow the hollow diamond symbol, leaving the M6 at junction 23 and rejoining at junction 24. This route involves taking the A580 westbound to the A580/A58 junction, turning right onto the A58 eastbound, and continuing back to the M6 at junction 24. Southbound drivers should follow the solid circle symbol, exiting at junction 24 and rejoining at junction 23. This route includes turning right onto the A58 westbound, following it to the A58/A580 junction, turning left onto the A580 eastbound, and rejoining the M6 at junction 23.