‘Severe’ delays on M6 as lorry sheds its load after crash with car

Emergency services were called to the scene on the southbound carriageway between junctions 16, for Crewe, and junction 15, for Stoke-on-Trent, following the collision earlier this afternoon.

Two lanes were closed at 2.40pm, with all traffic held for 50 minutes before one lane reopened. One lane remains closed.

Congestion is backing up towards junction 18 for Middlewich, which is also impacting surrounding routes.

A spokesman for traffic monitoring company Inrix said: "One lane is closed and there are severe delays and stop-start traffic for 14 miles due to a collision involving a lorry and a car involved on M6 southbound between junction 16 and Keele Services.

"Congestion to junction 18 which is having a knock on effect to surrounding routes around Middlewich, Holmes Chapel and Sandbach.

"Routes around Stoke-on-Trent are also heavily congested. Northbound M6 is congested back to junction 15 due to onlookers.

"Travel time is one hour, 10 minutes. Lane one is closed, but lane two reopened at around 4pm. Just after 2.40pm all traffic was held for around 50 minutes."

A North West Motorway Police Group spokesman said: "Traffic is very heavy between junction 17 and 16 M6 southbound.

"Central Motorway Police Group had a vehicle that has shed it's load between junction 16 and 15 where they have lane closures in place. It is impacting on our section of the motorway causing tailbacks."