M6 traffic RECAP: Motorway closed in Stoke as 999 crews race to crash

A crash on the M6 northbound near Stoke-on-Trent caused long delays, with traffic also halted on the A500. The collision took place near Junction 16 (Barthomley Interchange), which connects the M6 with the A500 and the B5078. Two of three northbound lanes were shut.

There were delays of 45 minutes above normal travel time, National Highways [1] said, advising motorists to allow extra time for their journeys. Traffic maps showed slow-moving vehicles and queues extending back to Junction 15 (Hanchurch). The incident also created gridlock on the westbound A500, with queues reaching the Alsager turn and eastbound traffic joining the A500 also delayed, StokeonTrentLive [2] reports.

15:56Eliana Nunes

All lanes now open

National Highways said in an update on X that all lanes are now open on the M6 northbound at Junction 16 (Barthomley Interchange).

15:35Zahra Khaliq

Delays of 90 minutes above normal travel time

There are now delays of 90 minutes above normal travel time.

Lanes 2 and 3 (of 3) remain closed on the #M6 [3] northbound at J16 #StokeOnTrent [4] because of a collision.

There are currently delays of 90 minutes above normal travel time. Please allow extra time for your journey. pic.twitter.com/55RBHscY9U [5]

-- National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) April 2, 2026 [6]15:19Zahra Khaliq

Live CCTV image shows heavy congestion in Stoke

Drivers are currently facing long queues on the M6 northbound in Stoke following a crash. There are currently delays of 90 minutes above normal travel time, National Highways [7] said.

Drivers are facing 45-minute long delays (Highways England)15:10Eliana Nunes

Congestion on M6 and nearby roads

Traffic maps show congestion on the M6 northbound, as well as on the A500 in both directions.

Traffic maps show congestion in and around Stoke-on-Trent (Google Maps)15:02Eliana Nunes

Three vehicles appear to have been involved in crash

Emergency crews and recovery wagons are at the scene following a crash involving at least three vehicles, according to StokeonTrentLive [8].

14:59Eliana Nunes

45 minutes of delays

National Highways says there are 45 minutes of delays on the M6 northbound following a collision at Junction 16 (Barthomley Interchange) near Stoke-on-Trent.

Lanes 2 and 3 (of 3) are closed on the #M6 [9] northbound at J16 #StokeOnTrent [10] because of a collision.

There are currently delays of 45 minutes above normal travel time.

Please allow extra time for your journey. pic.twitter.com/kjUeuTdEnQ [11]

-- National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) April 2, 2026 [12]14:57KEY EVENT

Map shows location of incident

A map shows Junction 16 (Barthomley Interchange) on the M6, which is near the site of this afternoon's collision.

14:53KEY EVENT

Two of three lanes closed on M6 northbound

Two of three lanes are closed on the M6 northbound at Junction 16 (Barthomley Interchange) near Stoke-on-Trent due to a collision.

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References

^ National Highways (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ StokeonTrentLive (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^ #M6 (twitter.com)
^ #StokeOnTrent (twitter.com)
^ pic.twitter.com/55RBHscY9U (t.co)
^ April 2, 2026 (twitter.com)
^ National Highways (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ StokeonTrentLive (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^ #M6 (twitter.com)
^ #StokeOnTrent (twitter.com)
^ pic.twitter.com/kjUeuTdEnQ (t.co)
^ April 2, 2026 (twitter.com)
^ Click here to activate (www.google.com)