A serious multi-vehicle collision on the M6 motorway has created travel chaos for thousands of motorists, with massive queues stretching back seven miles and delays expected to last for hours.
The incident occurred earlier today between junction 26 for Orrell Interchange and junction 27 for Standish, bringing northbound traffic to a grinding halt. Emergency services rushed to the scene to deal with the aftermath of the collision.
Travel Nightmare Unfolds
Drivers faced a frustrating standstill as all northbound lanes were temporarily blocked following the crash. While two lanes have since reopened, the damage to Tuesday's travel plans was already done.
Massive tailbacks quickly formed, stretching approximately seven miles and causing delays of around 45 minutes for those caught in the congestion. Traffic cameras showed stationary vehicles as far as the eye could see.
Ongoing Disruption and Alternative Routes
National Highways confirmed the severity of the situation, warning motorists to expect significant disruption throughout the afternoon. The agency advised drivers to consider alternative routes if possible.
For those already caught in the queues, patience was wearing thin as traffic crawled past the accident scene. Recovery work continued at the location, with emergency teams working to clear the aftermath completely.
Impact on Local Roads
The motorway disruption had a knock-on effect on surrounding routes as some drivers attempted to find alternatives. Local roads in the Wigan area experienced heavier than normal traffic as motorists sought ways around the blocked motorway section.
Travel experts warned that even after the scene is fully cleared, congestion would take considerable time to ease completely as the backlog of vehicles works its way through the affected area.
