M6 crash near Preston sees TWO-HOUR traffic delays as it shuts after lorry crash

Queues are building on the M6 and M61

08:50, 11 Mar 2025

Motorists heading north from Greater Manchester are being urged to plan alternative routes amid huge queues on the M6[1].

The motorway has been shut northbound between junctions 31 and 32 since Monday afternoon (March 10).

Lancashire[2] Police says it received a report of a HGV colliding with the central reservation at around 1pm.

The northbound carriageway has been closed since that time, as resurfacing work and barrier repair work take place.

National Highways says resurfacing work was complete overnight, but barrier repairs are set to continue today (Tuesday).

Drivers are facing long delays on both the M6 and M61 northbound this morning.

Follow live updates from the scene here.[3]

National Highways is warning drivers of queues lasting more than two hours on the M6 approaching the closure, while there are 70-minute queues on the M61 approaching the M6, according to the Inrix traffic monitoring system.

A National Highways spokesperson said: "The M6 northbound remains closed between J31 (Preston) and J32 (M55) for barrier repairs following yesterday's collision.

"Severe delays of two-plus hours on approach.

Expect heavy congestion and consider alternative routes."

An update from Inrix added: "Stop-start traffic on M61 Northbound before M6 J30.

Travel time is 70 minutes."

References

1. ^ amid huge queues on the M6 (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
2. ^ Lancashire (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
3. ^ Follow live updates from the scene here. (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)