LIVE M62 traffic updates lorry full of sawdust bursts into flames forcing motorway to shut

There are huge queues on a major motorway this afternoon with a carriageway shut following a lorry fire. Emergency services are currently on the scene on an eastbound stretch of the motorway after the lorry, which was carrying sawdust, burst into flames between junction 22 for Saddleworth, Oldham, and junction 23 for Huddersfield in West Yorkshire. The eastbound side of the M62 is closed with severe delays from J20 to J24.

Traffic on the Leeds-bound stretch out of Greater Manchester is also being affected with long delays and two lanes shut. National Highways shared a motorway traffic images of the lorry on fire, with smoke pictured billowing up into the air. Travel service Inrix said just before 3pm: "M62 Eastbound closed, severe delays due to lorry fire from J20 A627(M) J3 Rochdale to J24 A629 (Ainley Top).

Congestion to J19 (Heywood) heading eastbound.

A627(M) into Rochdale and roads into Littleborough, Ripponden and Denshaw are very slow as people seek alternative routes."

This is a breaking news story and updates will be in our live blog below:

References

1. ^ 'Self-serving coward's' first account to police after death of young mum in his bed caught on body cam footage (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)