Emergency services are on the scene and motorway is closed following an incident on the M6. The route has remained closed for more than eight hours as repairs are carried out.
The southbound carriageway is affected close to Wigan, and congestion extending into Lancashire is expected throughout the afternoon (January 23). The road is shut between junctions 27 and 26, at Orrell.
Drivers are advised to avoid the area. Those heading in the direction of the incident are advised to make alternative travel arrangements where possible.
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There are currently diversions in place. Lane three heading north is also closed following a diesel spillage in the same area.
This is an ongoing incident. Follow live updates in the blog below.
Key Events
National Highways update
The M6 in Greater Manchester is closed southbound between J27 and J26 near Wigan for emergency resurfacing following an earlier collision which caused a large diesel spillage.
Lane 3 (of 3) is also closed on the M6 northbound between J26 and J27.
At approximately 12:34 a collision occurred involving a HGV and a car. The collision has resulted in the concrete central reservation being damaged, resulting in lane 3 (of 3) also being closed northbound.
National Highways update
The #M6 remains closed southbound between J27 & J26 near #Wigan following an earlier collision and diesel spillage.
— National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) January 23, 2024
Lane 3 (of 3) remains closed northbound.
Emergency resurfacing works will take place this evening.
More info via the link here - https://t.co/YsSc114ux8 pic.twitter.com/DhJBKhIlRV
Severe delays remain - Inrix
M6 Southbound closed, severe delays due to emergency repairs, recovery work and earlier accident from J27 A5209 Crow Orchard Road (Standish) to J26 M58 (Orrell Interchange). Congestion to J28 (Leyland).
Ongoing since this afternoon. One lane is also closed on the opposite side. Delays aren't helped by one lane being closed for a broken down vehicle within the queues. Source:CCTV image, Highways.
Diversion - via the Solid Square Symbol. Non-HGVs can use the B5206 Shevington Lane through Shevington and Gathurst. HGVs will have the go along the A49 Wigan Road through Standish and into Wigan.
Resurfacing 'to begin at 8pm' - National Highways
The M6 in Greater Manchester is closed southbound between J27 and J26 near Wigan due to a collision and diesel spillage. Lane 3 (of 3) is also closed on the M6 northbound between J26 and J27.
At approximately 12:34 a collision occurred involving a HGV and a car. The collision has resulted in the concrete central reservation being damaged which is why lane 3 (of 3) is also closed northbound. A large diesel spillage has also been reported which has compromised the carriageway and made it unsafe to travel over.
Traffic caught within the closure has been released via earward relief.
Resurfacing of the carriageway is due to begin this evening from 20:00 (8pm).
Broken-down vehicle in northbound carriageway - Inrix
M6 Southbound closed, severe delays due to accident and fuel spillage from J27 A5209 Crow Orchard Road (Standish) to J26 M58 (Orrell Interchange). Congestion to J28 (Leyland).
The release of trapped traffic is ongoing, accident occurred earlier this afternoon. One lane is also closed on the northbound carriageway due to debris on road, traffic not helped by a broken down vehicle on approach to the closure.
Trapped traffic is being released - Inrix
M6 Southbound closed, severe delays due to accident and fuel spillage from J27 A5209 Crow Orchard Road (Standish) to J26 M58 (Orrell Interchange). Congestion to after Charnock Richard Services for southbound.
The release of trapped traffic is ongoing, accident occurred earlier this afternoon. One lane is also closed on the northbound carriageway due to debris on road.
Two-hour delays
There are currently delays of 2 hours against expected traffic, National Highways has said.
Images show the extent of the incident
More pictures from the scene show the extent to the incident that is causing tailbacks on the M6. Some motorists have reported hour long queues.
Long delays - Inrix
M6 Southbound closed, long delays due to accident and fuel spillage from J27 A5209 Crow Orchard Road (Standish) to J26 M58 (Orrell Interchange). Congestion to after Charnock Richard Services for southbound.
Ongoing since earlier this afternoon. One lane is also closed on the northbound carriageway due to debris on road.
Incident has caused queues of traffic
Queues have been getting longer for those waiting on the M6 after the closure between J27 and J26. Many motorists stuck in the standstill traffic have posted to social media with pictures of the traffic.
One driver shows an image of the traffic at the front of the incident.
Traffic at a standstill
Motorists say they have been stuck at a standstill for several hours
Diversions
Non-HGV route includes a low railway bridge 12'0" (3.6m) and narrow canal bridge.
- Leave the M6 at J27.
- At the roundabout take the first exit and join the A5209. Follow the A5209 for approx. 0.8km.
- At the junction with the B5206 turn right onto the B5206 southbound (Shevington Lane) and follow for approx. 5.8km.
- At the junction with the A577 turn left and join the A577 eastbound (Orrel Road) and follow for 0.5km.
- At M6 J26 turn right onto the access road and follow for approx. 1.0km
- At the roundabout take the first exit and rejoin the M6 south.
HGV route
- Leave the M6 at J27.
- At the roundabout take the first exit and join the A5209. Follow the A5209 for approx. 2.1km.
- At the junction with the A49 turn right and join the A49 southbound (Wigan Road) and follow for approx. 8km
- At the A49/Saddle Gyratory, join the A577 westbound (Ormskirk Road) and follow for approx. 3.5km
- At M6 J26 turn right onto the access road and follow for approx. 1.0km
- At the roundabout take the first exit and rejoin the M6 south.
Collision between HGV and car
It has been confirmed the closure collowed a collision between an HGV and a car shortly after 12,30pm.
This resulted in the central reservation being damaged. There has also been a large diesel spillage which 'compromised the carriageway'.
It is currently not clear how long the road will be shut for.
A spokesperson for National Highways said:
At approximately 12:34 a collision occurred involving a HGV and a car. The collision has resulted in the concrete central reservation being damaged and lane 3 (of 3) is also closed northbound. A large diesel spillage has also been reported which has compromised the carriageway and made it unsafe to travel over.
Due to the spillage it is unclear at this time how long the carriageway will be closed. Preparations are being made to release traffic caught within the closure via the rear of the queue. Please await instruction from a Traffic Officer or Police Officer before turning.
Debris
There are long delays on the southbound carriageway due to an accident and subsequent fuel spillage.
According to Inrix, congestion has reached Charnock Richard Services. There is also debris on the road.
Delays of over an hour
Motorists are posting on social media about the long delays following the earlier collision and diesel spillage. On X, one person wrote: "Been at a standstill over an hour!!"