The M6 motorway in northwest England experienced significant disruptions on October 19 due to a crash and vehicle fire, prompting closures and diversions for motorists.
The M6 motorway in northwest England faced major disruptions for motorists on Monday, October 19, following a crash involving a van and a lorry that resulted in a vehicle fire. The incident led to a partial closure of the motorway between Junction 23 at Newton-le-Willows and Junction 24 at Ashton-in-Makerfield.
Emergency services responded to the crash around nightfall on Sunday, October 18. The police initiated a criminal investigation into the collision, while traffic officers assisted in managing the resulting disruption. Concerns were also raised regarding potential damage to the motorway’s road surface.
The closure of the M6 was primarily due to the accident that occurred on Sunday evening, which caused a car fire between junctions 23 and 24. This incident created significant difficulties for drivers in the Greater Manchester and Merseyside regions.
Among the emergency responders were the North West Motorway Police Group and firefighters. Traffic officers from National Highways were also present at the scene to help manage the situation. As of Monday morning, the police investigation into the collision was ongoing. National Highways indicated that recovery teams would clear the vehicles once the investigation concluded, followed by an assessment of the road surface damage caused by the accident and fire.
As of this writing, National Highways had not provided a timeline for when the road would reopen. Motorists were advised to allow extra time for their journeys.
The affected section of the M6 runs between Junction 23, near Newton-le-Willows, and Junction 24, close to Ashton-in-Makerfield. According to incident reports from National Highways, both lanes were closed in both directions. However, some media sources suggested that the southbound lane might be open while the northbound lane remained closed. Motorists are encouraged to check current traffic updates before setting out, as conditions may change.
The closure of the northbound lane was attributed to the ongoing accident investigation, the removal of damaged vehicles, and the necessary repairs and assessments of the road surface. At the time, details regarding the extent of the damage and the duration of the repair work were not available.
National Highways has recommended that motorists follow signed diversion routes based on their direction of travel. For those traveling northbound, the diversion involves exiting the M6 at Junction 23, taking the second exit at the roundabout onto the A580 westbound, following the A580 to its junction with the A58, turning right onto the A58 eastbound, and continuing toward Junction 24 to rejoin the M6 northbound.
For southbound travelers, the diversion requires exiting the M6 at Junction 24, turning right onto the A58 westbound, following the A58 to its junction with the A580, turning left onto the A580 eastbound, and continuing to Junction 23 to rejoin the M6 southbound.
Motorists are advised to adhere to diversion signs and instructions from traffic officers, as journey times may be longer than usual, particularly during peak commuting hours.
A specific reopening date for the M6 has not been established, as it depends on the conclusion of the police investigation, the removal of involved vehicles, and the examination of the road’s surface. Drivers planning to use the M6 motorway between Junctions 23 and 24 should consult live traffic updates from National Highways before starting their journey, as this incident has caused significant traffic disruptions.
This report is based on information from National Highways and other sources as of October 19, 2023. Closure and reopening details may change as recovery efforts progress.