Everything we know so far after M6 lorry crash smash closes motorway

There are severe delays on the M6 this afternoon after the motorway was closed following an overturned lorry. At 11.20am, police were called to the incident on the motorway close to J33 for A6 Preston [1] Lancaster [2] Road. Not long after the emergency services arrived at the scene, including the Air Ambulance, the motorway was closed in both directions.

According to National Highways, the “serious collision” involved a heavy goods vehicle “that has collided with the central reservation and has subsequently overturned, coming to rest on its side, on the opposite carriageway.” Motorists subsequently experienced severe delays on the M6 between J33 and J32 M55 Broughton Interchange for a number of hours. In fact, National Highways predicted traffic would return to normal at around 4.30pm. It is yet unclear about any injuries following the accident.

Lancashire [3] Police told LancsLive earlier today: “We were called at about 11.20am to reports of a serious collision on the M6 [4] motorway close to junction 33. The motorway is currently closed in both directions while emergency services deal with the incident.

Traffic is being held following a crash on the M6 (Image: Facebook)

“We will release further information when we are in a position to do so.” Traffic is currently being released at around 1.30pm, but the motorway remains closed.

National Highways have recommended diversion routes for motorists wanting to get around the incident. Road users travelling southbound are advised to follow the Hollow Diamond diversion route:

Exit the M6 at J33 (Lancaster South)
At the roundabout take the first exit at A6 Garstang, Blackpool, Fleetwood
Follow the A6 southbound through Garstang, Bilsborrow, Barton,
Broughton to M55 J1 (Broughton)
Take the first roundabout exit for Birmingham M6
Follow the M55 to re-join the M6 J32, heading south towards Birmingham

Road users travelling northbound are advised to follow the Hollow Circle diversion route:

Exit the M6 at J32 onto the M55
Follow the M55 to J1
Exit the J1 and take the third exit on to the A6
Follow the A6 through Broughton, Barton, Bilsborrow and Garstang
Re-join the M6 at J33 to continue north.

If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.

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References

^ Preston (www.lancs.live)
^ Lancaster (www.lancs.live)
^ Lancashire (www.lancs.live)
^ the M6 (www.lancs.live)
^ Subscribe to our daily newsletter LANCS LIVE NEWS and get all the biggest stories from across Lancashire direct to your inbox (www.lancs.live)