Double trouble as drivers face huge M42 and M6 delays
Drivers faced nightmare journeys after two motorways were closed for hours for separate incidents. Part of the M6 was closed for 15 hours following a lorry and car crash yesterday, Wednesday, June 26, which led to a huge diesel spill. Junctions two to four northbound only re-opened this morning, June 27, almost 15 hours after the collision took place.
And on the M42 a lorry fire left the southbound carriageway closed into a second day between junctions ten, for Tamworth[1], and nine, for Curdworth. National Highways West Midlands said on X, formerly Twitter[2], that due to the spillage of diesel on the M6 following the collision the road had to be resurfaced, CoventryLive reported[3].
“The road is now re-open following emergency resurfacing works overnight to repair damage from a large diesel spill that occurred in a collision yesterday,” National Highways said. “No delays.”
National Highways West Midlands confirmed the stretch of the M42 between ten and nine remained closed this morning, June 27, for a ‘complex clean-up and recovery’.
It added: “Road will be closed throughout this morning’s peak period.” Drivers sat for hours in the heat yesterday afternoon as a result of the lorry fire.
National Highways said it was ‘laden with cardboard’ and caused huge problems for the Warwickshire[5] Fire and Rescue Service crews attempting to fight the flames.
Crews were called out at lunchtime from Atherstone[6] Fire Station, two from Nuneaton[7] Fire Stationan engine from Coleshill Fire Station and two water bowsers from Kenilworth[8] Fire Station and Coleshill . A post on Nuneaton Fire Station explained that there were issues getting the huge amount of water they need to put out the fire.
“The use of eight breathing apparatus and hose reel jets has made this incident arduous and protracted,” the team said. As well as thanking those stuck in the traffic build-up, they also issued a warning, saying: “We would like to thank the public who waited patiently in the blistering heat.
“One safety point we would like to make is that during the approach to the incident people were walking around in the carriageway. We would prefer if you would stay safely in your vehicles, it’s very dangerous for us as emergency service drivers traversing roads with traffic at a stand still, the last thing we want is a tragedy to happen. You are much safer in your vehicles than wandering along the hard shoulder.”
It is understood fire crews will be providing ‘continual relief’ at the scene today.