M56 drivers hit by 90-MINUTE queues with lanes shut

Drivers faced huge queues on the M56 in Cheshire following an oil spillage. Two lanes were closed this morning (January 8) on the westbound carriageway, affecting drivers heading from Greater Manchester towards Chester and North Wales. The lane closures were in place between junctions 12 at Runcorn and 14 at Elton.

National Highways says emergency works are taking place on the road following an oil and diesel spillage. Queues of around seven miles were affecting motorists, with 90-minute delays reported. It follows an overturned lorry on the motorway on Wednesday night.

The incident has since cleared and all lanes are now open. A National Highways north west spokesperson posted on X earlier: "Lanes 1 & 2 (of 3) remain closed on the #M56 westbound between J12 (#Runcorn) & J14 (#Elton) for emergency works to treat an oil and diesel spillage. There are 90 min delays above normal travel time with 7 miles congestion on approach.

Allow extra journey time."

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