M6 severe delays LIVE as lorry fire sparks long queues near Great Barr

Motorists have been warned of long traffic delays on the M6 this afternoon following a lorry incident. The incident saw a slip road on the Northbound carriageway of the motorway closed off mid-afternoon. The exit slip road near to J7 Great Barr for the A34 Birmingham Road was shut after a 'mechanical failure' shortly before 2pm today, Thursday (June 27).

Congestion was initially backing up all the way to J4A, where the M6 meets the M42 Interchange. The road has since reopened and the lorry has been recovered. However drivers were warned of 45 minute delays and, in an update at 5pm, urged to allow that extra time for journeys in the area.

Inrix, which provides traffic and travel updates, wrote: "M6 Northbound exit slip road closed severe delays, one lane closed due to earlier lorry fire at J7 A34 Birmingham Road (Great Barr). Congestion to J4A (M42 Interchange). "Surrounding routes around Castle Vale, Erdington and Handsworth are also congested as traffic seeks an alternative.

Lane one (Of three) is closed together with the slip road heading down to the roundabout."

This is a live blog, we will be updating it as we receive more information.

References

1. ^ Birmingham's 'worst' postcodes for attacks revealed (www.birminghammail.co.uk)