A broken-down heavy goods vehicle (HGV) suffering a substantial fuel spillage has caused major traffic disruption on the M6 southbound near Preston. National Highways confirmed that two of three lanes are closed between junctions 31 and 32, leading to severe delays of up to 60 minutes and queues stretching seven miles.
Incident Details
The incident occurred on Friday, July 17, 2026, with updates provided from 18:04 BST. The southbound entry slip road at junction 31 remains closed while crews work to clear the spillage and recover the vehicle. National Highways North West posted on X: "2 lanes (of 3) are closed on #M6 southbound near #Preston within J31 due to a broken down HGV which has suffered a substantial fuel spillage. The southbound entry slip road remains closed. Crews remain on scene. Delays of 60 mins and 7 miles of congestion on the approach."
Impact on Drivers
Motorists are advised to expect significant delays and to consider alternative routes. The fuel spillage has created a hazardous situation, requiring specialist cleaning and vehicle recovery. National Highways has warned that delays may persist into the evening as operations continue.
