A major incident on the M6 motorway in Cheshire caused travel chaos for thousands of drivers during Tuesday afternoon's rush hour. A lorry engulfed in flames forced authorities to implement a full closure of the motorway, leading to severe delays and gridlocked traffic.
The emergency shutdown occurred on the southbound carriageway between junction 16 for Crewe and Stoke-on-Trent and junction 17 for Sandbach. The dramatic scene unfolded just after 3:15 PM, with thick black smoke visible for miles around.
Emergency Response and Closure
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service rushed multiple crews to the scene to tackle the intense blaze. For safety reasons, Highways England had no choice but to close all southbound lanes completely.
The closure remained in effect for approximately 90 minutes, finally reopening at around 4:45 PM. However, the knock-on effect of the incident continued to cause significant disruption long after the lanes were cleared.
Severe Traffic Backlogs
Drivers faced nightmare conditions with queues stretching up to seven miles behind the incident. National Highways' traffic cameras showed stationary traffic along the affected stretch, with congestion building rapidly on approach routes.
Travel time through the area was extended by at least 90 minutes at the peak of the disruption. Motorists were advised to allow extra journey time or consider alternative routes if travelling through Cheshire.
Recovery and Ongoing Delays
Even after the fire was extinguished and the lorry was recovered, residual delays persisted into the evening. The extensive queue of traffic took considerable time to clear, affecting those travelling towards the Midlands and beyond.
National Highways North West provided constant updates via social media, warning drivers of the severe delays and advising caution in the area.
