Easter travel LIVE: M6 and M20 major delays as drivers face hours of gridlock

Brits heading off for Easter breaks are facing chaos with "severe delays" on two major motorways. Emergency services have been attending to a serious collision on the M6 toll northbound carriageway[1] which forced its closure and there are two lanes still shut. There are also major delays of up to 90 minutes on the M20 eastbound in Kent between J11, near Hythe, and J11A, for Eurotunnel, with National Highways saying it is due to due to "increased Easter getaway traffic" as people look to catch trains and ferries.

19:04Eliana Nunes

Two miles of congestion has cleared on M20

About two miles of congestion has cleared on the M20 approaching the Eurotunnel.

National Highways reports that the only road experiencing severe congestion is the A30 westbound, between its junctions with the A303 and the A35.

17:46Tim Hanlon

Congestion caused by 'East getaway traffic' on M20

National Highways says that the congestion on the M20 has been caused by "Easter getaway traffic". It states: "There are no incidents reported, with congestion building due to increased Easter getaway traffic heading towards the South East coast. "National Highways area team crews have closed the J11 eastbound entry slip road to assist with traffic management and help ease congestion.

"Kent Police and National Highways Traffic Officers units are also in the area to assist with traffic management."

17:44KEY EVENT

Delays of 90mins on the M20 due to holiday traffic

National Highways says that the build of traffic on the M20 has led to delays of 90 minutes. It states: "There are severe delays of 90 minutes on the M20 eastbound in Kent between J11 (near Hythe) and J11A (for Eurotunnel)."

17:08Tim Hanlon

Two lanes remain closed on M6 toll northbound

National Highways says that two lanes remain closed on the M6 toll route northbound following an earlier serious crash but there are no delays. The agency states: "The #M6Toll north between T6 (#Brownhills) and the #M6 has now reopened, however lanes 1 and 2 remain closed.

There are no delays on approach."

16:10KEY EVENT

M6 toll northbound reopens with lane 1 and 2 still closed

National Highways says that that M6 toll route northbound has reopened but two lanes remain closed. It posted on X: "The #M6 has now reopened, however lanes 1 and 2 remain closed." The agency also states: "This is due to a serious collision.

West Midlands Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, West Midlands Fire & Rescue and National Highways Traffic Officers are on scene. "The M6 Toll does not have any official diversion routes, therefore road users intending on using the M6 Toll northbound beyond T6 are advised to use the M6 as an alternate."

14:41KEY EVENT

Recovery operation on M6 by Preston completed but 65min delays

The M6 has fully reopened near Preston after a recovery operation but delays remain. National Highways states: "#M6 north between J32 (#Preston) and J33 (#LancasterSouth) the recovery has completed and all lanes have now reopened.

There are residual delays of 65 minutes and 10 miles of congestion on the approach and 20 minute delays and 3 miles of congestion on #M61 north."

14:02Tim Hanlon

Hour-long delays on M6 near Preston and seven miles of congestion

A lane remains closed on the M6 near Preston with a recovery operation not yet underway. Delays have now reached an hour with seven mile queues. National Highways states: "#M6 northbound between J32 (#Preston) and J33 (#LancasterSouth) 1 lane remains closed following a collision.

Recovery is en-route at this time. There are currently delays of 60 minutes and 7 miles of congestion on the approach."

A lane cordoned off following a crash on the M6 (Provided by LancsLive)13:50KEY EVENT

Police investigation on 'serious clash' as M6 toll northbound closed

Police are at the scene of a "serious collison" that has caused the closure of the M6 toll northbound, with an investigation underway. An update from National Highways reads: "A full closure remains in place on the #M6Toll north between T6 (#Brownhills) and the #M6 following to an serious collision and due to ongoing investigations. @WMPolice remain on scene."

13:39Tim Hanlon

Millions hitting the road today on what could be busiest Easter since 2022

Millions of travellers are taking to the road ahead of a windy Easter weekend with Storm Dave forecast to bring gusts of up to 90mph.

Travel trade organisation Abta estimated that two million people from the UK will also travel abroad between Good Friday and Easter Monday, as the RAC predicted it would be the busiest Easter on the roads since 2022.

13:35KEY EVENT

Hour long delays on the M5 after earlier crash

People heading to the South West on the M5 face hour long delays following an earlier crash. There was a collision on the motorway southbound between Thornbury and Almondsbury this morning which caused a backlog. The crash has since cleared but the delays remain with National Highways telling drivers to expect an extra hour on their journeys.

13:08KEY EVENT

Delays now of 50mins on M6 near Preston

An update from National Highways says that there are now 50 minute delays and three miles of congestion.

It stated on X: "#M6 northbound between J32 (#Preston) and J33 (#LancasterSouth) 1 lane remains closed following a collision. There are currently delays of 50 minutes and 3 miles of congestion on the approach."

12:42Tim Hanlon

Carriageway closure after separate crash on M6 in Midlands

National Highways says that the M6 toll route is closed northbound after a "serious collision". It states: "The M6 Toll in the West Midlands is closed northbound between T6 Brownhills Interchange (Brownhills, Burntwood A5195) and the M6 J11a Saredon Interchange.

This is due to a serious collision. West Midlands Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, West Midlands Fire & Rescue and National Highways Traffic Officers are on scene. "The M6 Toll does not have any official diversion routes, therefore road users intending on using the M6 Toll northbound beyond T6 are advised to use the M6 as an alternate.

Please note: this closure also impacts access to the Norton Canes Service Area."

12:36Tim Hanlon

Inrix reports 'long delays' with one lane closed after accident

Traffic monitoring service Inrix reports: "Long delays and one lane closed due to accident on M6 Northbound from J32 M55 (Broughton Interchange) to J33 A6 Preston Lancaster Road (Lancaster South / Garstang). Congestion to before J30 (M61 Interchange)."

12:35Tim Hanlon

Image shows gridlocked traffic with motorway busy for Easter getaways

Motorists stuck in the congestion have been posting on Facebook with the M6 busy as many people head away for the long weekend. One person said: "All traffic at a stand still," while another said: "Just got through it now 4 cars down to two lanes traffic moving now."

Stationary traffic on the M612:29Tim Hanlon

Motorists face 30min delays after crash

National Highways North West says that drivers face 30 minute delays after a crash on the M6.

It stated: "#M6 northbound between J32 (#Preston) and J33 (#LancasterSouth) lane 1 is closed following a collision.

There are currently delays of 30 minutes on the approach."

References

1. ^ M6 toll northbound carriageway (www.mirror.co.uk)