M6 traffic LIVE: Lancashire Police issue crash update amid the rush-hour delays
Motorists face long delays during morning rush-hour on the M6 following a horrific crash[1] involving a lorry. The northbound section of the motorway[2] is shut between junction 34 for Halton and junction 35 for Carnforth, both in Lancashire, due to the crash. The smash has seen the HGV overturn, and there is a large fuel spillage across the three lanes.
Drivers are being diverted onto the A683 and other roads, but this will add significant time to journeys this morning. National Highways says Lancashire Police[3] and North West Ambulance Service are at the scene, which is near junction 35 for Carnforth and routes into the Lake District. For updates on the M6 traffic, follow our live blow below...
08:34Benedict Tetzlaff-DeasMotorway remains closed as rush hour begins
National Highways have confirmed that the section of the M6 remains closed this morning, with disruption now expected to last throughout rush hour.
#M6[4] northbound remains closed between J34 #Halton[5] #Lancaster[6] and J35 #Carnforth[7], due to an overturned lorry/fuel spill.
Lane 3 (of 3) is also closed on the southbound between J35 and J34. Diversion can be found via the attached link: https://t.co/wF6sBYM0Bh pic.twitter.com/ujmlczFrrE[8][9]
-- National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) September 2, 2025[10]07:19Benedict Tetzlaff-DeasWhy is the M6 closed?
The M6 is shut between between J34 at Halton, Lancaster and J35 at Carnforth this morning after a lorry overturned and spilled fuel onto the carriageway. There is also a separate closure in place on the northbound motorway between J36 and J39 for planned works.
06:46Bradley JollyLatest update from Inrix
Inrix, the traffic data company, said: "M6 Northbound closed due to overturned lorry and fuel spillage from J34 A683 Bay Gateway (Lancaster) to J35 A6070 (Carnforth).
"Lane three (of three) is also closed on the opposite side."
06:25KEY EVENTLancashire Police says the stretch of the M6 'will be closed for some time'
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police has said: "We want to update you and let you know that M6 northbound is currently closed in the Bolton-le-Sands area between junctions 34 and 35 due to a road traffic collision. "We anticipate that the road will be closed for some time, whilst we clear the road. In the meantime, we'd recommend looking for an alternative route and driving carefully, leaving plenty of extra time to get to your destination."
06:19Bradley JollyLatest National Highway update on the M6 crash
All emergency services are currently at the scene of the closure, which was first reported at around 2.30am.
A National Highway spokesperson said: "The M6 in Lancashire is closed northbound between junction 34 (near Halton, Lancaster) and junction 35 due to an overturned lorry and fuel spill. "Lancashire Police and North West Ambulance Service are in attendance. National Highways Traffic Officers are on scene to assist with traffic management."
06:15Bradley JollyM6 southbound also affected
There are minor delays on the M6 southbound between junctions J35 and J34 due to road management for the crash.
The road is open but, due to the nature of the collision on the other side of the road, traffic is slow southbound from junction 35 for Carnforth in Lancashire. But motorists are not advised to seek alternative routes from Carnforth.
05:57KEY EVENTM6 delays expected until at least 10am
The National Highways website has been updated with fresh information about the M6 incident. It says the M6 northbound between junctions J34 and J35 will remain closed for some time, causing delays and diversions until at least 10am.
It states the reason is an accident involving an overturned vehicle, which the Mirror understands is a lorry.
05:48Bradley Jolly'Please allow extra journey time'
The National Highways has encouraged drivers to "allow extra journey time" this morning. The website reads: "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."
Traffic is expected to build up on the diversion, particularly along the A683 in Caton and Claughton.
05:44Bradley JollyM6 crash follows last week's rush-hour smash on M20
It follows a similar situation last week, which saw the M20 closed during rush hour. It led to huge delays for commuters heading into London as a large chunk of the motorway was sshut in Kent, following a multi-vehicle crash[11]. Kent Police dashed to the scene, which was near junction eight for Hollingbourne.
M20 traffic LIVE: Motorway CLOSED in Kent after horror crash involving lorries[12]
05:25Bradley JollyTraffic being held with queues reaching junction 33 for Galgate
Traffic is currently back to junction 33 for Galgate, Lancashire, but it is feared queues will develop as rush hour begins. It is likely the traffic will reach junction 32 - the M55 link - at Preston, which could cause delays along the M55 eastbound. The M55 connects Blackpool with Preston.
05:22Bradley JollyLancashire Police and North West Ambulance in attendance
National Highways confirmed Lancashire Police and North West Ambulance Service are present.
It is unclear how many vehicles are involved in the crash, or how many casualties there are. However, a HGV has overturned, authorities have confirmed.
#M6[13] northbound remains closed between J34 #Halton[14] #Lancaster[15] and J35 #Carnforth[16], due to an overturned lorry/fuel spill.@LancsRoadPolice[17] + @LancashireFRS[18] are at scene. The M6 is also closed northbound J36-J39 for planned works.
Diversion routes:- https://t.co/wF6sBYM0Bh pic.twitter.com/OBfv9maiHz[19][20]
-- National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) September 2, 2025[21]05:20Bradley JollyA further closure on the M6 in Cumbria will add to delays
The M6 is also closed northbound J36-J39 for planned works overnight. From J36, traffic is diverted:-
- At the Endmoor roundabout proceed straight across to M6 J36 Road users then need to pick up the hollow diamond diversion symbol on road signs:
- Take the A590 westbound to the Brettargh Holt junction Follow A591 to Plumgarths Roundabout.
- Take the third exit, A5284 to Kendal. Follow A5284 Windermere Road / Stricklandgate, turning left with All traffic onto A6 Sandes Avenue.
- Follow the A6 northbound out of Kendal towards Shap Toll Bar junction At Shap Toll Bar junction turn right onto the B6261 and then turn left at M6 J39, Shap.
National Highways' diversion route
National Highways' diversion route
Road users are advised to follow the Solid Circle diversion symbol on road signs'.
- Exit M6 J34, at the traffic signals turn left onto the A683.
- Follow A683 through Caton, Claughton, Hornby, Melling, Tunstall, Nether Burrow.
- At the junction with the A65 turn left towards Kirkby Lonsdale . Proceed along the A65 past Kirkby Lonsdale through the village of Lupton.
M6 northbound closed near Lancaster
The M6 in Lancashire is closed northbound between junction 34 (near Halton, Lancaster) and junction 35(for Carnforth) due to an overturned lorry and fuel spill. Lancashire Police and North West Ambulance Service are in attendance.
National Highways Traffic Officers are on scene to assist with traffic management.
Diversions are in place this morning
References
- ^ crash (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ motorway (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Lancashire Police (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ #M6 (twitter.com)
- ^ #Halton (twitter.com)
- ^ #Lancaster (twitter.com)
- ^ #Carnforth (twitter.com)
- ^ https://t.co/wF6sBYM0Bh (t.co)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/ujmlczFrrE (t.co)
- ^ September 2, 2025 (twitter.com)
- ^ multi-vehicle crash (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ M20 traffic LIVE: Motorway CLOSED in Kent after horror crash involving lorries (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ #M6 (twitter.com)
- ^ #Halton (twitter.com)
- ^ #Lancaster (twitter.com)
- ^ #Carnforth (twitter.com)
- ^ @LancsRoadPolice (twitter.com)
- ^ @LancashireFRS (twitter.com)
- ^ https://t.co/wF6sBYM0Bh (t.co)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/OBfv9maiHz (t.co)
- ^ September 2, 2025 (twitter.com)