M6 Stoke traffic RECAP: Huge queues after lorry sheds offal load on carriageway
There were long queues on a major UK motorway[1] after a lorry shed its load on the carriageway. Three lanes were closed on the M6 northbound[2] between junction 14 at Stafford and junction 15 at Stoke[3]-on-Trent due to a broken down lorry which shed a load of offal this morning. "The incident is causing severe delays of up to 2 hours between J13 and J15 and very heavy congestion for up to 9 miles," National Highways said.
14:46Zahra KhaliqSevere two hour delays continue
Severe delays of up to two hours between J13 and J15 on the M6 are ongoing.
Specialist crews are on scene cleaning up spilled offal from a broken down HGV. National Highways said this "is protracted due to the nature of the spillage and specialist equipment required to safely handle the material".
A live traffic camera shows queues on the M6 (Highways England)
12:52Zahra Khaliq
Latest from National Highways
Specialist crews are still at the scene carrying out clean-up works from the spillage. "This is protracted due to the nature of the spillage and specialist equipment required to safely handle the material," National Highways said. "The incident is causing severe delays of up to 2 hours between J13 and J15 and very heavy congestion for up to 9 miles.
If you are travelling from further afield, customers are advised to follow the M1 and A50 if possible."
11:56Zahra KhaliqThree lanes remain closed
Lanes 1, 2 and 3 remain closed on the M6 northbound from J14 at Stafford to J15 at Stoke-on-Trent as a HGV has spilt its load of offal across the carriageway. "Traffic officers are on scene with specialist contractors to complete extensive clean-up work due to the spillage," National Highways said.
11:03Zahra KhaliqCrews pictured at the scene
A large clean up operation is underway at the scene of the spillage. Multiple traffic officers are seen standing around the broken down HGV while traffic cones are in place to keep drivers away.
Work is ongoing (Highways England)10:38Zahra Khaliq
Specialist contractors called in to clean up offal
Traffic officers are at the scene alongside specialist contractors who will carry out clean-up works on the motorway.
Images taken at the scene earlier showed a major spillage and huge queue on the M6 northbound near Stoke-on-Trent.
10:01Zahra KhaliqLive traffic camera shows ongoing traffic
Drivers are still facing long queues on the M6 this morning. An image from a live traffic camera, taken just minutes ago, shows cars trapped in bumper to bumper traffic along junction 15.
Congestion is ongoing on the M6 this morning (Highways England)09:38Zahra Khaliq
'Very heavy congestion' for up to 9 miles
National Highways is reporting very heavy congestion stretching nine miles. "National Highway area teams are en-route to assess damage and begin the clean-up of the offal," it said. "The incident is causing severe delays of up to 2 hours between J13 and J15 and very heavy congestion for up to 9 miles".
09:17KEY EVENTTwo hour delays as clean up crews en route
There are now two-hour long delays on the M6 this morning as clean-up crews are en route following a major offal spillage.
08:05KEY EVENTDelays of at least 60 minutes
Drivers are being warned to expect delays of at least an hour between junction 14 at Stafford and junction 15 at Stoke-on-Trent on the M6 northbound.
"Lanes 1,2 and 3 of (4) are closed on the #M6 north J14 (#Stafford) - J15 (#StokeOnTrent) as a HGV has spilt its load of offal across the carriageway," National Highways said. "Traffic Officers are on scene with specialist contractors en-route to begin the clean-up work at the scene".
07:54KEY EVENTPictured: Major offal spillage on M6 during rush hour
A major offal spillage has sparked severe disruption on the M6 northbound between Junctions 14 (Stafford) and 15 (Stoke-on-Trent) this morning. Images show a huge queue forming at the scene of the spillage. Clean up crews appear to be at the scene.
The spillage has sparked huge queues (Highways England)
07:39KEY EVENT
Motorway cameras show long queues - photo
Motorway cameras show long queues on the M6 northbound.
There are long queues on the M6 northbound after a lorry shed its load on the carriageway (National Highways)07:30KEY EVENT
Incident 'likely to cause long delays'
Drivers have been warned the incident will "likely cause long delays" with lane closures being installed.
Motorway cameras show vehicles stuck in bumper to bumper traffic.
07:21KEY EVENTLorry was carrying offal
The lorry was carrying a load of offal. The offal is the internal organ and non-muscle meat of butchered animals.
06:51Peter HennessyLatest from National Highways
A spokesperson said: "Lanes 1,2 and 3 of (4) are closed on the M6 north J14 (Stafford) - J15 (Stoke on Trent) as a HGV has spilt its load of offal across the carriageway. "Traffic officers are on scene with specialist contractors en-route to begin the clean-up work at the scene."
06:38Peter HennessyTraffic cameras show big queues on M6
There are long queues between junction 14 and 15 heading northbound due to the incident this morning.
It's not yet known when the motorway is expected to reopen.