Major UK motorway at standstill after crash between car and lorry
Drivers are facing chaos on a major UK motorway[1] with traffic at a standstill after a crash. Emergency services have been scrambled to a smash on the M6. And witnesses say the collision on the north Staffordshire-leg of the motorway appears to have involved a truck and a car.
Live traffic cameras have shown an HGV on the grass verge with the collision on the southbound carriageway just down from Junction 15. Motorway cameras have shown traffic all going into the outside lane to pass the scene. One witness said: "It's only just happened but there's been a crash between a car and lorry on the M6 southbound.
Traffic is heavy. The car is in the third lane and oil is leaking onto the fourth. The lorry is on the grass.
There is debris across the lanes."
13:53Tim HanlonAmbulance statement after man taken to hospital following crash
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called to reports of a road traffic collision involving one lorry on the M6 and sent an ambulance and a paramedic officer to the scene. "On arrival, crews found a man who they treated for injuries not believed to be serious before conveying him to the Royal Stoke University Hospital."
13:44KEY EVENTMan taken to hospital after lorry ploughs into bridge on M6
A man is in hospital after a lorry ploughed into a bridge on the M6 through North Staffordshire. Police are urging drivers to find alternative routes as an operation continues to recover the HGV.
Meanwhile motorists in the Potteries have been reporting delays across the A500 and A34 in Trentham as M6 traffic looks to avoid the gridlocked motorway. Now West Midlands Ambulance Service has confirmed a man has been taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital.
13:32Tim HanlonCrane being used to remove lorry on grass verge
Drivers have told of seeing a lorry on a grass verge and a crane is being used to help remove it as queues continue to build on the M6. Two lanes remain closed as the recovery operation continues and people are being warned of delays of 90 minutes.
13:12Tim HanlonDrivers told to plan ahead due to 'severe' delays on M6
National Highways is warning of "severe delays" on the M6 this afternoon following an earlier collision.
It states: "There are delays of up to 90 minutes on the M6 southbound between Junctions 15 (Stoke-on-Trent) and 14 (Stafford North) following a collision in which a lorry has left the carriageway." And adds: "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."
12:38Tim HanlonLorry needs to be removed from grass verge of motorway
National Highways has said that the recovery operation has been "protracted" due to difficultly in removing a lorry which has left the carriageway.
It states: "Recovery is proving protracted due to the position of the vehicle, and lane closures remain in place while work continues. "National Highways Traffic Officers are on scene assisting with traffic management."
12:25Tim HanlonChaos as motorists also stuck in stationary traffic on nearby A500
Motorists are reporting being stuck in stationary traffic on the A500 - as emergency services remain at the scene of a lorry smash on the M6. Police, paramedics and three fire engines had been scrambled to the southbound stretch of the motorway at around 10.10am this morning.
And drivers say the A500 around Hanford is at a stop - along with the A34.
12:12Tim Hanlon'Long delays' due to difficulty removing vehicle
National Highways says that there are long delays with road closures still in place due to difficulty in removing a vehicle. It states: "There are long delays on the M6 in Staffordshire southbound between J15 (near Stoke-on-Trent) and J14 (near Stafford) due to an earlier collision. "There are delays of up to 90 minutes on the M6 southbound between Junctions 15 (Stoke-on-Trent) and 14 (Stafford North) following a collision in which a lorry has left the carriageway.
"Recovery is proving protracted due to the position of the vehicle, and lane closures remain in place while work continues. National Highways Traffic Officers are on scene assisting with traffic management. "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.
11:59KEY EVENTNational Highways update says drivers face 90 minute delays after crash
National Highways: West Midlands states: "2 lanes (of 4 ) remain closed on the #M6 southbound between J15 #StokeOnTrent and J14 #Stafford. Due to the position the the lorry has ended up in, recovery likely be protracted. "Delays are now approaching 90 minutes on the approach."
11:55Tim HanlonCrash involves a lorry and a car on M6 southbound, says eye witness
An eyewitness has told how there is heavy congestion after a crash involving a car and a lorry.
They said: "It's only just happened but there's been a crash between a car and lorry on the M6 southbound. Traffic is heavy. "The car is in the third lane and oil is leaking onto the fourth.
The lorry is on the grass. There is debris across the lanes."
Traffic on the M6 following a smash11:52Tim Hanlon
Three fire engines at scene as well as police and paramedics
There are currently three fire engines at the scene of the collision along with police and paramedics. Two lane has been shut off past the scene of the smash and Inrix is warning of 'severe delays' in the area.
A map showing the crash impact (Google)11:47Tim Hanlon
Inrix report on collision with all traffic held
Inrix is reporting all traffic is currently being held due to the collision.
Traffic was brought to a stop at 10.25am.
There are now queues on the A500 between Hanford and the approach to the M6.
References
- ^ UK motorway (www.mirror.co.uk)