Huge queues on M56 after five car crash

The crash caused 10 miles of congestion on the motorway

11:21, 20 Oct 2025

View ImageM56 queues near junction 12 (Image: National Highways )

Five cars were involved in a crash on the M56 which caused huge queues. Emergency services were called to the westbound carriageway of the motorway on Monday, October 20 at 7.04am between junctions 12 (Runcorn) and junction 14 (Helsby).[1]

Police, fire, highways, and ambulance attended and found there had been a minor crash involving five vehicles. Two lanes were closed following the crash, which caused 10 miles congestion, adding an extra two hours on journey times.

Cheshire Police said there were no reports of any injuries, and the scene was cleared by 10am.

There was also an earlier crash on the M56 [2] near Manchester Airport [3]. Lanes three and four were shut on the eastbound side of the motorway [4]. However, the lanes have since reopened.

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References

^ between junctions 12 (Runcorn) and junction 14 (Helsby). (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
^ M56 (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
^ Manchester Airport (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
^ eastbound side of the motorway (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
^ daily and breaking newsletter (data.reachplc.com)
^ here (data.reachplc.com)
^ @LivECHONews (twitter.com)
^ Bluesky @liverpoolecho.co.uk (bsky.app)
^ real news in real time (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
^ Facebook/theliverpoolecho (www.facebook.com)
^ by clicking here (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
^ Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)