Traffic on the M6 motorway in Lancashire has ground to a complete halt this Saturday morning as police respond to an ongoing incident, leading to the closure of the northbound carriageway between Junction 28 for Leyland and Junction 30 for Bamber Bridge. The shutdown was first reported at 7:06 am on March 7, 2026, and has left vehicles at a standstill for over an hour, with National Highways confirming all traffic has been stopped in the affected area.
Police Statement and Diversion Details
Preston Police have issued a statement confirming the closure, noting that it is due to an ongoing police incident. While they do not anticipate the closure will last for a significant period, they are urging motorists to seek alternative travel routes to minimise disruption. The police emphasised that the closure is necessary for public safety and that efforts are underway to reopen the carriageway as swiftly as possible.
Official Diversion Route
To assist stranded drivers, a detailed diversion has been implemented using road signs with solid square and hollow diamond symbols. The route is as follows:
- Exit the M6 at Junction 28.
- At the M6 J28 / B5256 junction, turn right and follow the B5256 eastbound (Leyland Way) for 0.3 miles.
- At the B5256 / A49 junction, turn left and follow the A49 northbound (Wigan Road) for 1.7 miles.
- At the A49 / A6 junction, turn right and follow the A6 eastbound (Lostock Lane) for 0.3 miles.
- At the A6 / M6 Junction 29 roundabout, take the first exit and follow the M65 westbound for 0.4 miles.
- From here, follow the hollow diamond diversion symbol: at M65 Junction 1a / A6 roundabout, take the first exit and follow the A6 northbound (London Way) for 4.6 miles.
- At the A6 / A59 junction, turn right and follow the A59 eastbound (New Hall Lane) for 2.1 miles.
- At the A59 / M6 Junction 31 roundabout, take the first exit to rejoin the M6 northbound.
Impact and Updates
The closure has caused significant traffic congestion, with live traffic cameras showing all vehicles being held in the area. Police have not disclosed the specific nature of the incident, but they are actively managing the situation and will provide updates once the carriageway is fully reopened. Drivers are advised to plan ahead and use alternative routes to avoid delays.
