LIVE: M6 brought to standstill as highways chiefs shut two lanes

Motorists are suffering heavy congestion on the M6 this morning, with two lanes closed on a busy stretch of the motorway. One lane was already shut for roadworks when a lorry broke down earlier this morning, June 16.

And now a second lane has had to be shut to allow the lorry to be recovered. It is causing heavy delays on the southbound side of the carriageway, between juncton 17, Old Mill Road, for Sandbach and Crewe; and junction 16, A500, for Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe.

A spokesperson for traffic and travel updates service Inrix said: "Two lanes closed and queueing traffic due to broken down lorry on M6 Southbound from J17 A534 Old Mill Road (Sandbach / Crewe) to J16 A500 (Stoke-On-Trent / Crewe). Lanes one and two (of four) are closed."

StokeonTrentLive is working to provide live updates to keep you informed of traffic congestion levels.

This is a live blog. See below for live updates as they come in.