Motorway re-opens after huge lorry fire caused rush hour chaos (2025)

5 days ago13:03 Kris Boratyn

Thank you for following our coverage of the incident on the M6.

Two lanes of the northbound carriageway are now open but delays remain.

Lanes one and two (out of four) will remain shut until tonight.

Full closure will also take place overnight to allow for resurfacing works.

5 days ago11:52 Kris Boratyn

The latest pictures from the scene show traffic moving in lanes 3 and 4 after the M6 northbound was re-opened following the lorry fire in the early hours of this morning.

Delays still remain when approaching the scene.

(Image: National Highways )

5 days ago11:48 Kris Boratyn

The M6 has re-opened northbound but lanes 1 and 2 will remain closed until tonight.

There will also be a full closure overnight to allow for resurfacing works.

5 days ago10:28 Kris Boratyn

A Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Fire crews were called to an HGV fire on the M6 northbound between junctions 22 and 23 in the early hours of this morning, April 14.

"Crews were alerted at 2.21am and on scene at 2.33am, with two fire engines from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and one from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service in attendance.

"Crews arrived to find a Heavy Goods Vehicle trailer well alight. The driver was out of the vehicle on arrival and in a place of safety.

"Traffic flow on the carriageway was managed by the Highways agency and Police with intermittent closures of parts of the carriageway and lane closures owing to firefighting activity and a significant smoke plume.

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were able to extinguish the main part of the fire by 4.45am using main jets and hose reel jets and were damping down by around 5.00am.

"Firefighting had ceased by 6.34am and crews left the scene at 6.52am."

5 days ago09:55 Kris Boratyn

Recovery work takes place following a fire on the M6. (Image: National Highways )

5 days ago08:34 Kris Boratyn

Surrounding routes are now seeing knock-on delays as drivers attempt to avoid the M6 closure.

According to traffic monitoring service Inrix, there are 30-minute delays on the A49 in Newton-le-Willows, with congestion building throughout the morning.

Further queues are also forming on the A579 heading towards the East Lancs Road, where drivers are following the official diversion route.

Delays here are currently estimated at around 15 minutes.

5 days ago08:33 Kris Boratyn

Drivers heading north on the M6 this morning are facing heavy traffic as the motorway remains shut between junctions 22 (Winwick) and 23 (Haydock Island) following a lorry fire overnight.

Queues are stretching back to junction 21A for the M62, while traffic on the southbound side is also slowing down as vehicles pass the scene. Inrix reports delays back to junction 23 on that carriageway.

National Highways has warned the closure could remain in place for several more hours while repairs are carried out.

5 days ago07:46 Kris Boratyn

A National Highways spokesperson said: "The M6 in Greater Manchester is closed northbound between J22 (Winwick) and J23 (Haydock Island) due a substantial lorry fire.

"Manchester Fire and Rescue, Greater Manchester Police and National Highways Traffic Officers are in attendance.

"The closure is expected to remain in place for several hours due to the significance of the blaze and the high likelihood of carriageway repairs once the fire has been extinguished."

5 days ago07:44 Kris Boratyn

Motorists travelling from Winwick towards the East Lancs Road via the A579 are also facing delays.

The diversion traffic is putting pressure on local roads, with congestion building in both directions.

5 days ago07:42 Kris Boratyn

Traffic is becoming increasingly heavy along the A49 northbound in Newton-le-Willows as drivers look for alternative routes.

Queues are forming as more vehicles divert off the M6 and attempt to bypass the closure.

5 days ago07:42 Kris Boratyn

Drivers on the M62 are also being impacted, with delays in both directions near junction 10 (Croft Interchange).

Vehicles are currently unable to join the M6 northbound from the M62, causing knock-on delays.

5 days ago07:40 Kris Boratyn

Live Google traffic data shows congestion is continuing to build on the M6 northbound near the closure between junctions 22 (Winwick) and 23 (Haydock).

Vehicles are slowing down as they approach the diversion, with delays stretching back several miles.

(Image: Google Maps)

5 days ago07:26 Kris Boratyn

National Highways has released the latest picture from the scene.

One of the pictures shows a lorry on fire, while the second was taken after most of it was extinguished.

(Image: National Highways )

(Image: National Highways )

5 days ago07:13 Kris Boratyn

National Highways has confirmed the M6 northbound will likely stay closed for several hours this morning.

The fire has caused significant damage to the road surface, with repair work expected once the blaze is fully extinguished.

Drivers are being advised to avoid the area and find alternative routes if possible.

5 days ago07:12 Kris Boratyn

The M62 slip roads leading to the M6 northbound are currently closed.

National Highways says access from both directions at the Croft Interchange (junction 10) is blocked due to the ongoing incident.

Drivers heading east or west on the M62 are being advised to plan ahead.

5 days ago07:11 Kris Boratyn

Motorists heading north are being urged to follow a signed diversion route.

Drivers should exit the M6 at junction 22, follow the A572 north, turn left onto the B5207, and then rejoin the M6 via the A580 westbound.

Traffic is already heavy in the area, with delays reported on the A49 through Newton-le-Willows.

5 days ago07:07 Kris Boratyn

Part of the M6 has been closed since the early hours following a huge lorry fire.

Crews have been in attendance between junctions 22 and 23.

Both sides of the motorway were initially closed, before the southbound carriageway reopened.

The northbound M6 is expected to remain closed for several hours, while traffic on the M62 is being stopped from joining the M6 north.

Queues are building up surrounding the closure.

5 days ago07:07 Kris Boratyn

A National Highways spokesperson said: "The M6 in Greater Manchester is closed northbound between J22 (Winwick) & J23 (Haydock Island) due a substantial lorry fire.

"Manchester Fire & Rescue, Greater Manchester Police and National Highways Traffic Officers are in attendance.

"The closure is expected to remain in place for several hours due to the significance of the blaze and the high likelihood of carriageway repairs once the fire has been extinguished."

5 days ago06:57 Mieka Smiles

Good morning.

We will be bringing you all the latest on the M6 fire as the situation unfolds.

Mieka.