M6 traffic LIVE: Major motorway shut for hours after horror three-vehicle crash

A busy motorway is closed due to a serious crash involving two cars and a lorry. The M6 in Lancashire closed in both directions between J32 (for the M55) and J33 (near Garstang) due to the collision on Monday morning. Queues of traffic [1] formed due to the closure.

Emergency services including Lancashire Police [2] raced to the scene. National Highways said lanes would be closed for hours.

07:40Olivia Beeson

Four miles of congestion

As the road remains closed there is now four miles of congestion, according to National Highways. A spokesperson said: "Please be aware there are long delays north with at least 40 min delays above normal travel time and 4 miles congestion."

06:17Olivia Beeson

Road remains closed as traffic builds

Following the serious collision the road remains closed as we enter rush hour.

Traffic is beginning to build on the motorway with delays expected to last for several more hours, according to National Highways.

Queues are forming on the M6 the morning after a serious collision06:07Olivia Beeson

M6 Southbound in 'process of being re-opened'

Collision investigation works are ongoing on the M6. National Highways report that the southbound is in the process of being re-opened. Northbound will be closed for some time yet.

04:47Rachel Vickers-Price

National Highways issues M6 update

A National Highways spokesperson has provided an update, offering up a more conservative estimate on when the M6 will reopen.The spokesperson said: "The M6 in Lancashire remains closed both ways between J32 (M55) and J33 (Galgate) due to a serious collision involving two cars and a lorry."

Specialist crash scene investigators are currently working at the scene in an attempt to understand what may have caused the crash between the three vehicles. Once police investigators wrap up their work at the scene, National Highways officers will commence with their own assessment of the scene. Traffic officers will see any damaged vehicles removed, as well as any other hazards.

Only then can the road reopen. National Highways expects the M6 to "remain closed until at least 6am".

04:29Rachel Vickers-Price

Traffic maps estimate M6 to reopen after rush hour

Travel disruption on the M6 in Lancashire is set to intensify this morning, with current estimates suggesting the motorway won't fully reopen until 10am. Other sections of the road may clear earlier - with indications of 8.30 am for parts of the closure - but this is likely to offer little relief for those who will get caught out during rush hour.

02:49Olivia Beeson

Queues of traffic following crash

Queues of traffic are forming on the M6 following the collision.

Emergency services including Lancashire Police are on scene alongside National Highways Traffic Officers who are assisting with traffic management.

Queues of traffic after closure02:40Olivia Beeson

Road not expected to reopen until after 7am

According to National Highways the road is expected to remain closed and cause delays until at least 7am.

02:25Olivia Beeson

Road to be closed overnight

According to National Highways the road will be shut overnight. A spokesperson said: Emergency services including Lancashire Police are on scene alongside National Highways Traffic Officers who are assisting with traffic management.

Due to the nature of the incident, the road is likely to be closed throughout the night."

01:19Olivia Beeson

Southbound diversion

M6 south traffic is 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 Manchester

01:06Olivia Beeson

Eastbound diversion route

M55 eastbound traffic intending to join the M6 northbound is also advised to follow the hollow circle diversion symbol:

Exit the M55 eastbound at J1 (Broughton)
Take the first exit at the roundabout onto the A6 northbound towards Garstang
Follow the A6 northbound through Broughton, Barton, Bilsborrow and Garstang to then re-join the M6 northbound at J33

01:06Olivia Beeson

Northbound diversion route

M6 north traffic is advised to follow the hollow circle diversion symbol:

Exit M6 J32 onto M55
Follow M55 to J1
Exit the M1 and take the third exit on to the A6
Follow the A6 through Broughton, Barton, Bilsborrow and Garstang
Rejoin the M6 at J33

00:56Olivia Beeson

Two cars and lorry involved

A serious crash involving two cars and a lorry has shut the M6 in the early hours.

The Lancashire road is closed in both directions between J32 (for the M55) and J33 (near Garstang).

Emergency services including Lancashire Police are on scene.

References

^ traffic (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ Lancashire Police (www.mirror.co.uk)