A major incident on the M6 motorway has caused travel chaos for thousands of motorists this afternoon, with a multi-vehicle collision bringing traffic to a standstill in Cheshire.
The serious accident occurred between junction 16 for Crewe and junction 17 for Sandbach, prompting a massive emergency response and creating seven-mile queues in both directions.
Severe Delays and Growing Queues
National Highways confirmed the incident has resulted in "severe delays" of at least 60 minutes above usual travel times. Traffic cameras show stationary vehicles stretching for miles, with the northbound queue extending approximately seven miles and southbound delays building rapidly.
Emergency services including multiple police units, fire crews, and ambulance teams are currently on scene dealing with the aftermath of the collision.
Road Closures and Diversion Routes
All lanes were temporarily blocked as emergency services worked to clear the incident. Motorists faced lengthy diversions including:
- Northbound traffic diverted via the A500
- Southbound vehicles rerouted through local roads
- Significant delays on alternative routes as traffic seeks ways around the closure
National Highways warned drivers to expect continued disruption throughout the afternoon rush hour and advised allowing extra journey time or considering alternative routes if possible.
Real-Time Travel Advice
Travel monitoring systems indicate the incident is affecting one of the busiest sections of the M6, a critical artery connecting the North West and Midlands. Traffic officers are working to manage the situation, but recovery operations are expected to take several hours.
Motorists are being urged to check live traffic updates before travelling and to consider postponing non-essential journeys through the affected area.
