M6 crash LIVE: Huge delays on major UK motorway amid four miles of traffic

A section of the M6 was forced to close this afternoon after a crash between a car and van [1], sparking long delays and queues tailing back for miles. The southbound lane on the M6 between J13 (Stafford) and J12 (A5, Cannock, Wolverhampton [2], Telford) closed while recovery teams carried out work at the crash [3] site. Drivers were left facing 40 minute delays and were pictured trapped in four-mile long queues before the lane later re-opened.

14:59Zahra Khaliq

National Highways issues update

All lanes are now open on the M6 in Stafford following a crash, National Highways said in an update.

The motorway is busy, but traffic is now slowly moving, according to live traffic cameras.

All lanes are now OPEN on the #M6 southbound between J13 (#Stafford) and J12 (#A5, #Cannock. #Wolverhampton, #Telford) #Staffordshire pic.twitter.com/YhGZLNk1yQ [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

-- National Highways: West Midlands (@HighwaysWMIDS) February 13, 2026 [12]14:41Zahra Khaliq

Traffic continues two hours after crash

Traffic is ongoing in Stafford two hours after a crash between a car and van, which happened at 12.39pm today. An image taken moments ago on Junction 14 of the M6 shows vehicles packed tightly together in gridlock.

Drivers have been warned to expect long delays (Highways England)14:36Zahra Khaliq

Traffic spreads to alternative routes

The A449 Stafford Road southbound through Penkridge is also experiencing heavy traffic as drivers seek an alternative route, according to Inrix.

14:33Zahra Khaliq

Southbound lane remains closed

One lane remains closed on the M6 southbound from Junction 13 to Junction 12. Traffic monitoring system Inrix states: "There is one lane closed and busy but moving traffic due to an accident on the M6 southbound from junction 13 to junction 12.

There is congestion back to junction 14 for Stafford North as well as on the northbound carriageway as onlookers slow to view."

14:28KEY EVENT

Live traffic camera shows massive queue on M6

Live traffic cameras are showing huge queues on the M6 in Stafford following a crash between Junction 12 and 13. Congestion has now stretched well beyond the incident, with delays running back towards Junction 14.

There are huge queues on the M6 this afternoon (Highways England)14:23KEY EVENT

National Highways issues statement

National Highways says there are currently 40 minute delays and four miles of congestion on the M6 following a crash today. Recovery vehicles are en-route.

NEW INCIDET#M6 southbound between J13 (#Stafford) and J12 (#A5, #Cannock. #Wolverhampton, #Telford) #Staffordshire [13][14][15][16][17][18][19]

LANE CLOSED

1 lane (of 4) closed due to a 1 car and 1 van, non-injury collision. Recovery en-route.

40 min delay, 4 miles of congestion. pic.twitter.com/s1xnBJD2K8 [20]

-- National Highways: West Midlands (@HighwaysWMIDS) February 13, 2026 [21]14:19KEY EVENT

Queues tailing back four miles

There is currenly four miles worth of congestion on the M6 from Junctions 12 and 13. An image from the scene shows a large black vehicle and a white van stopped at the central reservation while recovery crews work at the scene.

Several cars can be seen trapped in huge queues as the workers attempt to clear the area.

14:08KEY EVENT

Drivers facing 40-minute delays

National Highways has warned drivers to expect 40-minute long delays on the M6 in Staffordshire this afternoon.

The southbound lane between J13 (Stafford) and J12 (A5, Cannock, Wolverhampton, Telford) is closed.

References

^ crash between a car and van (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ Wolverhampton (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ crash (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ #M6 (twitter.com)
^ #Stafford (twitter.com)
^ #A5 (twitter.com)
^ #Cannock (twitter.com)
^ #Wolverhampton (twitter.com)
^ #Telford (twitter.com)
^ #Staffordshire (twitter.com)
^ pic.twitter.com/YhGZLNk1yQ (t.co)
^ February 13, 2026 (twitter.com)
^ #M6 (twitter.com)
^ #Stafford (twitter.com)
^ #A5 (twitter.com)
^ #Cannock (twitter.com)
^ #Wolverhampton (twitter.com)
^ #Telford (twitter.com)
^ #Staffordshire (twitter.com)
^ pic.twitter.com/s1xnBJD2K8 (t.co)
^ February 13, 2026 (twitter.com)