Cliff Notes
- A major crash occurred on the M6 when a lorry collided with the central reservation, resulting in a significant diesel spillage and extensive damage to the motorway.
- The incident took place near Preston on the northbound carriageway between Junctions 31A and 32, with emergency services responding at approximately 1.10pm.
- Severe traffic delays were reported, affecting both the M55 and M61, causing congestion and delays of up to 85 minutes.
- The driver of the lorry was taken to hospital for treatment; further details regarding their condition have not been disclosed.
- National Highways has announced that the M6 northbound remains closed and will likely stay that way for the remainder of the day due to necessary resurfacing work following the diesel spillage.
Why the lorry crash on M6 has caused the motorway to close ‘for rest of day’
The closure of the M6 for the rest of the day is due to a combination of factors: the collision caused significant damage to the central reservation and the road surface, coupled with a major diesel spillage that has contaminated all lanes of the motorway. The diesel spillage necessitated a complete resurfacing operation to ensure safety, which will take place overnight, leading to the decision to keep the motorway fully closed throughout the day.
The HGV smashed into the central reservation, causing a major diesel spillage
Congestion after the M6 closure(Image: National Highways)
A major crash involving a lorry which was ploughed into the central reservation on the M6 has caused the busy motorway to be closed ‘for the rest of the day’. today (Monday, March 10).
Police, paramedics and Highways officers attended the crash near Preston, on the northbound carriageway between J31A for Longridge and J32 for the M55. The incident was first reported at around 1.10pm with a full closure put in place.
‘Severe delays’ built throughout the afternoon as emergency crews worked at the scene, with congestion on the M55 and 85-minute delays on the M61 northbound.
Horror pictures showed the aftermath of the collision, with the northbound carriageway completely closed off throughout the evening. The red HGV became wedged in the centre of the motorway and damaged the central reservation.
The HGV smashed into the central reservation, causing a major diesel spillage (Image: National Highways)
The driver, a man, was rushed to hospital for treatment. Further details have not yet been confirmed by Lancashire Police.
National Highways warned of ‘severe’ delays into Monday night, with one lane remaining closed on the M6 southbound and a full closure in place for the remainder of the evening.
It was revealed this was because of the damage caused to the carriageway and a subsequent ‘significant diesel spillage’ which ‘affected all lanes of the road’. It meant a full resurfacing operation was required on the affected road, taking place overnight.
In an update at around 6pm, National Highways North West said: “The M6 northbound in Lancashire remains closed between J31 & J32 near Preston following a collision involving a lorry which resulted in a significant diesel spillage.
“Unfortunately we’re expecting that the road will remain closed for the rest of the day. Delays are SEVERE.”
“We received a report of an HGV colliding with the central reservation of the M6 between J31 and J32 at around 1pm today,” a Lancashire Police spokesperson said. “A man is receiving treatment. The Northbound carriageway, and two lanes of the southbound carriageway are closed.”