M6 Motorway Brought to Standstill Following Serious Crash
A major incident on the M6 motorway has resulted in significant disruption during the afternoon rush hour, with three lanes closed northbound due to a collision. The accident occurred on the Thelwall Viaduct, between junction 20 at the Lymm Interchange and junction 21 by Manchester Road in Woolston, Cheshire.
Severe Delays and Traffic Chaos
National Highways has confirmed that three out of four lanes are closed on the M6 northbound within junction 21 following the crash. This has led to extensive queueing traffic and delays currently estimated at 50 minutes above the normal journey time. Motorists are advised to expect prolonged disruptions and consider alternative routes if possible.
Inrix, the traffic data company, reported: "Three lanes blocked and queueing traffic due to accident on M6 Thelwall Viaduct Northbound between J20 M56 J9 (Lymm Interchange) and J21 A57 Manchester Road (Woolston)." CCTV footage from the scene shows heavy traffic building on the viaduct, exacerbating the congestion.
Key Details of the Incident
The crash has effectively brought the M6 to a standstill in the affected area, with traffic at a complete halt. The closure of three lanes has created a bottleneck, causing significant delays for commuters and travellers. Authorities are urging drivers to exercise patience and caution while emergency services manage the situation.
National Highways issued a statement emphasising the severity of the delays: "Delays are currently 50 minutes above profiled journey time, thank you for your patience." The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of motorway safety and traffic management during peak hours.
Impact on Rush Hour Travel
This collision has sparked chaos on one of the UK's busiest motorways, disrupting the evening commute for countless motorists. The M6 is a critical artery for transport in the region, and such incidents can have widespread repercussions on local and regional travel networks.
As emergency responders work to clear the scene and restore normal traffic flow, drivers are reminded to stay updated via traffic alerts and plan their journeys accordingly. The closure is expected to remain in place until the accident investigation and vehicle recovery are completed.
