Drivers have been warned to expect delays on a major motorway after a collision involving several vehicles has brought traffic to a crawl.
The incident which affects the M6 motorway in Staffordshire has caused roads to operate at severely reduced speeds of 13mph in the affected area.
The multi-vehicle crash, which includes reported injuries, occurred on the northbound carriageway between Junction 15 and Junction 16.
Two out of three lanes remain closed while emergency services work at the scene, causing severe disruption to Friday afternoon traffic.
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Traffic queues are lasting roughly six miles due to the incident
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
The incident occurred between the Hanchurch Interchange (Junction 15) for Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, and the Bartomley Interchange (Junction 16) serving Stoke-on-Trent, Crewe, Nantwich and Chester.
Traffic officers are currently managing the scene alongside emergency services.
The closure affects a crucial stretch of the M6 through Staffordshire, with both the A500 connections at either junction impacted by the disruption.
The collision has caused huge backlogs to drivers with severe delays of 90-minutes on the affected stretch of the motorway.
The incident has also sparked more than six miles of very heavy congestion on the northbound carriageway.
An eyewitness passing on the southbound carriageway reported on X: “It’s bad… emergency services only just on their way up from J15, can’t see anything getting past once the fire brigade and ambulances are on the scene, too many vehicles involved, pedestrians everywhere.”
Motorists are being advised to plan ahead and consider alternative routes due to the severe disruption on the M6.
Drivers are being encouraged to consider delaying their journeys or finding alternative routes to avoid the affected stretch of the motorway.
National Highways shared: “UPDATE. M6 northbound between J15 (#StokeonTrent A500) and J16 (Crewe Nantwich) Staffordshire. TRAFFIC STOPPED Due to a multi-vehicle, injury collision. Our officers on scene are working to open 1 lane past scene shortly.”
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police told GB News: “We were called to M6 northbound between junction 15 and junction 16 in Hanford at about 2.50pm this afternoon following reports of a collision involving multiple vehicles.
“At least eight vehicles were involved, including a Nissan panel van, a Vauxhall panel van, a Vauxhall Corsa, Skoda Fabia, Kia EV6, Toyota Yaris, Citroen Berlingo and a Ford Transit van. All the vehicles have now been cleared from the scene.
“Paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service took three people to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing at this time.”
Drivers warned of delays up to 90 minutes
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS