Drivers are facing long delays on the M53 following an accident involving a pedestrian on the carriageway.
National Highways states that the M53 is currently closed both ways between J5 (Hooton) and J4 (Bebington) in what it described as a "Merseyside Police-led incident".
While investigations remain ongoing, there are 30 minutes of delays on the southbound carriageway and 10 minutes on the northbound.
It warned that, due to the nature of the incident, lengthy closures are expected, which will likely extend into the morning peak travel period.
Merseyside Police have reported that emergency services were called to J4 at Clatterbridge this morning at 3.25am, citing a Toyota Yaris being involved in a collision with a male pedestrian on the northbound carriageway.
The man, who was in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police confirmed that his next of kin had been informed and were being supported by Family Liaison Officers.
The driver of the car was stopped at the scene, with police finding that the man had been involved in a separate accident on the southbound carriageway when his Skoda Fabia collided with the central reservation.
A full closure remains in place on both sides of the carriageway between J4 and J5 northbound and southbound as investigators continue their inquiries at the scene.
The M53 remains closed this morning as Merseyside Police conduct investigations
|GOOGLE MAPS/PA
Lead Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Andy Roper from the MATRIX Serious Collision Investigation Unit, paid tribute to the man and his family.
He said: "An investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances of what happened.
"Although this occurred in the early hours of the morning, we are still appealing for witnesses to come forward who may have information.
"If you were travelling on the M53, in either direction, between Junction 4 (Clatterbridge) and Junction 5 (Eastham), please check your front or rear dash cameras, even if you didn’t witness anything."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Drivers are facing delays on the northbound and southbound carriageways of the M53
|NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
DS Roper said footage may have been captured without the driver realising, which could prove to be "vital" to the enquiry.
He added that road closures would remain in place on both sides of the motorway as collision investigation work is completed.
The officer asked motorists to find alternative routes and avoid the area, as well as thanking them for their patience.
National Highways has outlined two diversion routes for motorists impacted by the situation on the M53 this morning.
Merseyside Police have launched an appeal and called for anyone with information to come forward
|MERSEYSIDE POLICE
Road users travelling northbound are advised to follow the solid circle diversion symbol visible on local road signs
- Leave the M53 northbound at junction 5
- At M53 Jct 5/A41 roundabout, take the first exit onto A41 southbound (New Chester Road)
- At the A41/B5133 junction, turn right onto B5133 westbound (Hooton Road)
- At the B5133/B5151 junction, turn right onto B5151 northbound (Birkenhead Road)
- At M53 Jct 4/A5137 roundabout, take the second exit to re-join the M53 northbound at Jct 4
Road users travelling southbound are advised to follow the hollow diamond diversion symbol visible on local road signs.
- Leave the M53 southbound at Jct 4
- At M53 Jct 4/A5137 roundabout, take the third exit onto B5151 southbound (Mount Road)
- At the B5151/B5133 junction, turn left onto B5133 eastbound (Neston Road)
- At A41/M53 Jct 5 roundabout, take the third exit to re-join the M53 southbound