LIVE: Lane closures in place in both directions on M6 following two crashes

Motorists are warned to expect delays on the M6 around junctions 16 and 17 after incidents on both the north and southbound carriageways today. The incidents happened just after midday between junction 16 for Stoke-on-Trent/Crewe and junction 17 for Sandbach/Congleton.

Two lanes are closed on the M6 northbound between J16 and J17 due to an overturned van and trailer, Inrix traffic monitoring service reports. On the southbound carriageway two lanes are also closed between J17 for Sandbach and J16 for Stoke-on-Trent/Crewe after reports of a collision involving three cars.

Traffic monitoring site Inrix reports: "Two lanes closed and queueing traffic due to overturned van and trailer on M6 Northbound from J16 A500 (Stoke-On-Trent / Crewe) to Sandbach Services. Lanes three and four (of four) closed."

They also report: "Queueing traffic and two lanes closed due to accident, three cars involved on M6 Southbound from J17 A534 Old Mill Road (Sandbach / Crewe) to J16 A500 (Stoke-On-Trent / Crewe). Lanes three and four (of four) closed."

For live updates see below.