Emergency services remain at the scene
Emergency services remain at the scene
The M6 is set to remain closed for “several hours” after a huge lorry fire. The motorway has been closed northbound between junction 22 (Winwick) and junction 23 (Haydock) since just before 3am today, Monday, April 14 due to the fire.
National Highways said the closure is expected to remain in place for several hours as emergency services deal with the incident. In a statement a spokesperson said: “The M6 in Greater Manchester is closed northbound between J22 (Winwick) & J23 (Haydock Island) due a substantial lorry fire.
“Manchester Fire & Rescue, Greater Manchester Police and National Highways Traffic Officers are in attendance. The closure is expected to remain in place for several hours due to the significance of the blaze and the high likelihood of carriageway repairs once the fire has been extinguished.
“To aid traffic management for the morning peak period we have taken the decision to close the link roads from the M62 in both directions to the M6 northbound at J10. Traffic wishing to join the M6 northbound from the M62 should join the M6 southbound and proceed to J21.
“Exit and join the M6 north from this junction. If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.”
Latest pictures of the scene show remnants of the lorry after it was engulfed by flames. One photo shows the skeleton of the HGV surrounded by recovery vehicles.
Google data shows the latest queues on the M6 approaching the closure, and on the opposite carriageway. There are also some delays on the M62, where traffic is not being allowed to join the M6 northbound.
Queues are also building on both the A49 northbound in Newton-le-Willows and the A579 from Winwick towards the East Lancs Road, as drivers avoid the M6.
A diversion is currently in place as follows:
- Exit the M6 at J22
- At the A579A572 junction turn right onto the A572 northbound
- At the A572/B5207 junction turn left onto the B5207 northbound
- At the B5207/A580 junction turn right onto the A580 westbound
- At the A580/M6 junction turn left onto the Gyratory and take the 4th exit to re-join the M6
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by signing up to our daily and breaking newsletter. Sign up to our breaking news newsletter here.
Follow us on X @LivECHONews – the official Liverpool ECHO Twitter account – real news in real time. We’re also on Facebook/theliverpoolecho – your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.
