Drivers are being warned of long delays on a major motorway after a devastating lorry fire, with experts suggesting the carriageway could be closed for hours.
The in Greater Manchester is closed northbound between Junction 22 (Winwick) and Junction 23 (Haydock Island) due to a "substantial" lorry fire.
Manchester Fire and Rescue, Greater Manchester Police and National Highways Traffic Officers are currently in attendance, dealing with the fire and its aftermath.
National Highways is warning that the closure is expected to remain in place for "several hours" due to the significance of the fire.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk
Drivers are still dealing with long delays on the M6
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
It added that there is a "huge likelihood" that carriageway repairs will be needed once Manchester Fire and Rescue has dealt with the blaze.
The link roads from the M62 in both directions to the M6 northbound at J10 have also been closed to aid traffic management ahead of rush hour traffic.
Drivers who need to join the M6 northbound from the M62 should join the M6 southbound and proceed to J21. From here, they should exit and join the M6 north from this junction.
National Highways is also urging motorists to ensure they are planning ahead before embarking on their journey, or even delaying their trip.
Emergency services remain in attendance at the blaze
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
A Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "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.
"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."
The lorry fire has also contributed to high levels of traffic in the surrounding area near Warrington, around West Manchester and on the approach to Manchester Airport.
National Highways warned that the road would likely need to be resurfaced
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
National Highways traffic maps suggest that the M6 event is expected to clear between 1.15pm and 1.30pm, with normal traffic conditions assumed to resume at the same time.
However, given the likely need for road resurfacing, drivers could find themselves stuck in congestion for longer.
Images from the scene show the charred skeleton of the HGV in the emergency refuge area of the motorway with fire crews present.
Recovery workers can now be seen attempting to move the HGV from the roadside, which would allow for the road to be resurfaced and the carriageway reopened.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Elderly motorist crashes on motorway after driving wrong way sparking calls for more restrictions
- Britons 'without a driveway' boosted by 6,000 new electric car chargers and removal of 'significant barrier'
- Tesla critics smash electric car with sledgehammers and bats as Elon Musk protests sweep the nation
The incident was first reported just after 2.30am
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Traffic officers in the area have set up a diversion route, with motorists advised to follow the solid square symbol on road signs.
- Exit the M6 at J22
- At the A579A572 Junction, turn right onto the A572 northbound
- At the A572/B5207 Junction turn left onto the B5207 northbound
- At the B5207/A580 Junction turn right onto the A580 westbound
- At the A580/M6 Junction, turn left onto the Gyratory and take the 4th exit to re-join the M6
