Drivers have been warned to expect hour-long delays on a major motorway as emergency services attend a serious collision.
The warning follows a severe incident which took place earlier today on the M6 in Lancashire, forcing a closure between J33 near Lancaster and J32 near Preston.
The delays have been caused by a serious collision involving an HGV which struck the central reservation and overturned onto the opposite carriageway.
Emergency services, including an air ambulance, are at the scene of the incident. Drivers have been told to expect significant delays, with southbound traffic particularly affected.
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60 minute delays between J35 and J33
TRAFFIC ENGLAND
Motorists are being advised to avoid the area if possible and seek alternative routes for their journeys. Southbound traffic is experiencing delays of at least 60 minutes between J35 and J33, significantly longer than usual journey times. Meanwhile northbound sees delays of approximately 30 minutes between J31A and J32.
Posting on social media, National Highways shared: “There are long delays in both directions on approach to the closures and on the diversion routes. Thank you for your patience.”
Lancashire Police told GB News: “We were called at about 11.20am to reports of a serious collision on the M6 motorway close to J33. The motorway is currently closed in both directions while emergency services deal with the incident.
“We will release further information when we are in a position to do so.”
National Highways has implemented diversions in both directions to help manage the flow of traffic around the affected area.
Drivers heading southbound are being directed to follow a specific diversion route marked with a Hollow Diamond symbol.
The diversion takes motorists off the M6 at J33 for Lancaster South. From there, they should take the first exit at the roundabout onto the A6 towards Garstang, Blackpool and Fleetwood. They can then continue south through several towns including Garstang, Bilsborrow, Barton and Broughton.
At J1 (Broughton) of the M55, motorists should take the first roundabout exit signposted for Birmingham M6. They should then follow the M55 back to the M6 at J32.
For drivers heading northbound, traffic is being diverted via the Hollow Circle route, exiting the M6 at J32 onto the M55.
Drivers should follow the M55 to J1, then take the third exit onto the A6. The diversion continues through Broughton, Barton, Bilsborrow and Garstang before rejoining the M6 at J33.
Lancashire Police shared on social media: “We’re currently at the scene of a full closure on the M6 in between junctions 32-33 .
“The motorway is closed due to a road traffic collision and we anticipate this will be closed for a number of hours.
Thank you in advance for your patience.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Drivers have been advised to avoid the area if they can
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
A driver travelling nearby shared on social media that the incident was “absolute carnage”. He detailed how he was travelling northbound when he saw a “wagon gone through the central reservation into oncoming southbound traffic”.
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