M62 live: Huge traffic delays after crash on major motorway with lanes closed
Huge delays have developed on one of the UK's major traffic arteries this morning following an incident[1]. Emergency[2] services have been called to attend an incident on the M62's eastboud carriageway in Cheshire on the cusp of peak rush hour, between junction 11 A574 at Birchwood Way and junction 12 M60 J12 (Eccles Interchange). Traffic management systems have reported long delays after two lanes were closed, with pictures from the scene showing dramatic congestion.
09:42Liam DoyleTraffic not expected to return to normal for 90 minutes
Delays have extended to an hour and a half, with normal conditions not expected to resume until between 11.15 and 11.30.
09:24KEY EVENT'No reports of serious injuries' following incident
Cheshire Constabulary has now issued a statement on the M62 crash.
A spokesperson has said there were "no reports of serious injuries". They said: "At 7am on Wednesday 16 July, emergency services were called to reports were called to reports of a collision on the M62 between junctions 11 and 12. "The incident is being managed by Highways at this time and there are no reports of any serious injuries"
09:02Liam DoyleFrustrated motorists call for rules to help avert M62 incidents
Frustrated motorists reacting to the news of the incident this morning have called for new rules to be put in place on the M62 to crack down on potential future incidents.
One social media user posted: "Time for this stretch to be 50 mph limit with heavy fines and bans for those breaking it. Too many accidents."
08:55Liam DoyleDelays now increasing on M62 Eastbound
The AA has warned that the earlier mentioned "severe delays" have hit 29 minutes and are increasing between Junction 8 at Burtonwood Road and Junction 11 on the A574 on Birchwood Way. The service states: "Severe delays of 29 minutes and delays increasing on M62 Eastbound between J8 A5281 Burtonwood Road (Warrington West / Burtonwood) and J11 A574 Birchwood Way (Birchwood).
Average speed ten mph."
08:49Liam DoyleExact nature of traffic incident remains unclear
The exact nature of the traffic incident which has caused this morning's pileup remains unclear. The Mirror has contacted both Cheshire Constabulary and the North West Ambulance Service for further information.
08:35Liam DoyleHeavy traffic develops on approach to M62
Heavy traffic is now developing on the approach to the M62 as well, with cars also piling up on the M6 southbound on the approach to junction 21A.
08:29Liam DoyleHighways England updates 'time to clear' expectations
Highways England has updated its "time to clear" expectations, with traffic now not expected to return to normal until around 9.30am, when the incident will also likely be clear.
08:26Liam DoyleOne lane closed but long delays remain
Just one lane is closed on the M62 this morning, but long delays remain regardless, with traffic still built up between junctions 11 and 12.
08:11Liam DoyleAA warns of 'severe delays'
The AA traffic monitoring tool warns Brit drivers that "severe delays" have developed on the M62 this morning, adding the average speed for people travelling freely on the stretch is around 10mph.
08:09KEY EVENTDelays lengthen to 35 minutes with six miles of congestion
Highways England has said in an update that recovery teams are still en route to the scene on the M62, with delays now moving to 35 minutes and six miles of congestion.
Only 1 lane (of 4) is now closed on the #M62[3] eastbound in #Cheshire[4] between J11 (#Risley[5]) and J12 (#M60[6]) following a collision. Recovery is still en-route to scene.
There's now a 35 minute delay on approach with 6 miles of congestion so please allow extra journey time. pic.twitter.com/dbDmlru0nW[7]
-- National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) July 16, 2025[8]08:01Liam DoyleMap shows lengthy delays between Warrington and Manchester Airport
Maps from Highways England show the extent of the delays on the M62 this morning.
Long delays have developed on the M62 this morning07:57Liam Doyle
Delays pushing 20 minutes as commuters rush to work
Highways England has said traffic is creating queues of around 20 minutes, with the situation unlikely to improve for some time.
The organisation states traffic conditions likely won't return to normal for between 45 minutes to an hour.
07:52Liam DoyleEmergency services rush to scene of crash
The massive pileup on the M62 this morning has been caused by emergency services attending a crash, with no details yet about its exact nature.