A lorry crash on the M6 in Staffordshire caused severe disruption on Wednesday, with three lanes closed and delays of up to 50 minutes. The accident occurred just after midnight between junctions 12 and 13 near Cannock, when an HGV hit the central reservation, overturned, and caught fire. The driver sustained minor injuries, but the incident led to fuel spillage and debris across both carriageways.
Highways England worked for several hours to clear the route and repair the damage. Three lanes reopened in each direction by Wednesday afternoon, but drivers reported being stuck in queues for up to five hours. The surrounding roads also became congested as traffic diverted.
Criticism was directed at the lack of warning signs for approaching drivers. Highways England defended its response, stating that signs were displayed from Cumbria to the M25. However, some drivers complained about the slow reopening process, which was partly attributed to the smart motorway design lacking a hard shoulder.
Overnight closures will continue from 22:00 to 06:00 between junctions 12 and 13 for further repairs. The northbound carriageway will be fully closed, while one southbound lane remains open. Only three lanes will be available in each direction for the next few days to allow concrete to cure, after which all lanes will reopen.
