M6 warning issued to drivers amid hours of queues after major crash

Drivers have been told to expect disruption 'for the rest of the day' after a major crash on the M6.

Four lorries and a tanker were involved in the collision in Cheshire^[1] at about 4am today (June 4). Images show one lorry wrecked with debris and boxes strewn across the road.

Motorists are being urged to avoid the northbound M6 between junctions 18 and 19 near Knutsford. Three of the four lanes on the carriageway will remain closed for the rest of the day, National Highways warned.

Drivers heading for Manchester are currently facing six-mile queues and delays of up to 90 minutes approaching the scene. Emergency resurfacing is currently taking place following the crash, which resulted in a "shed load and oil and diesel fuel damage across three lanes".

A spokesperson for National Highways said: "While the lorries have now been removed from the area there is damage of some kind – caused by gouging, hydraulic oil or diesel fuel – in lanes one, two and three of the northbound carriageway and it’s not possible to safely run any traffic over these lanes without repairs and resurfacing."

The entry slip road at junction 18, near Holmes Chapel and Middlewich, has also been closed. It follows drivers reportedly trying to reverse back off the motorway to avoid the queue.

Cheshire Police says one person is believed to have suffered serious injuries in the crash and has been taken to hospital. His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

Superintendent Gareth Wrigley, of Cheshire Police, said: “I appreciate the disruption that this incident is likely to cause, and I want to reassure motorists that we are working hard to resolve the situation as quickly as possible." He added: "Local diversions are in place, but we are urging motorists to avoid the area and delay their journeys if possible.”

References

1. ^{^} Cheshire (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Victoria Wood's brother speaks out as statue to be REMOVED after crash (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)