A section of the M6 motorway is currently closed northbound between Junction 22 (Winwick) and Junction 23 (Haydock Island) following a serious lorry fire overnight.
The incident, which occurred late Sunday evening, prompted a full closure of the northbound carriageway. Emergency services and National Highways traffic officers remain at the scene this morning as crews work to extinguish the fire and assess the damage.
Photos released by National Highways show the lorry fully engulfed in flames, with thick smoke billowing into the night sky. Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours.
Closure Expected to Last for Several Hours
In a statement, National Highways said the closure is likely to remain in place for a significant period due to the intensity of the fire and the potential need for carriageway repairs once the area is safe.
“To aid traffic management for the morning peak period, we have taken the decision to close the link roads from the M62 in both directions to the M6 northbound at Junction 10. Traffic wishing to join the M6 northbound from the M62 should instead join the M6 southbound and proceed to Junction 21 before rejoining the northbound carriageway.”
Diversion Route in Place
Drivers are being advised to follow the Solid Square diversion symbol:
- Exit the M6 at J22
- Turn right at the A579/A572 junction onto the A572 northbound
- Turn left at the A572/B5207 junction onto the B5207 northbound
- At the B5207/A580 junction, turn right onto the A580 westbound
- At the A580/M6 junction, join the gyratory and take the 4th exit to rejoin the M6 northbound
Motorists are being urged to allow extra travel time, plan ahead, and consider alternative routes. The incident has already caused significant delays in the area, and further disruption is expected throughout the morning.
Travel Updates and Advice
Further updates are available on the National Highways website at www.trafficengland.com, through travel apps, or by following the @HighwaysSEAST Twitter feed. For live updates, the 24/7 contact centre can be reached at 0300 123 5000.
