Drivers have been warned to expect hours of delays this morning following a serious road collision along a major motorway, which has caused traffic to pile up.
The incident occurred last night on the M6 in Lancashire and has led to the closure of the motorway in both directions between junction 28 (Leyland) and junction 27 (Standish), causing severe delays and widespread disruption.
Emergency services are currently at the scene near Charnock Richard Services, where the incident, involving two vehicles, occurred on the southbound carriageway late on Sunday night.
The southbound carriageway remains completely closed, while lanes two and three of the northbound side have also been shut to allow police investigation work to take place.
National Highways has now implemented a diversion route for southbound traffic, with drivers being directed to follow the hollow square symbol on local road signs, taking the B5256, A49, B5248, and A581 before re-joining the M6 at junction 27.
The agency added that the motorway is expected to remain closed "for several hours" while recovery and investigation work continues.
But while traffic within the closure has been gradually released, long delays are expected to persist throughout the evening.
Drivers have been advised to avoid the area and allow extra time for their journeys, with delays of roughly 100 minutes now being reported.
Drivers have been urged to follow the diversion route in place
|NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
A spokesperson for Chorley Police said: "You may be aware that the M6 is closed between J27 (Standish) and J28 (Leyland) due to a collision. The road is set to be closed for some time, and we ask that you find an alternative route.
"Whilst we are still in the very early stages of our attendance, we do want to let you know what we can.
"The collision is reported to involve two vehicles and is reported to have happened near Charnock Richard services on the southbound carriageway. Emergency services are currently at the scene, where people are being treated."
Junctions 28 and 27 remain closed
|NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The spokesperson explained that an investigation into how the collision occurred will commence, and requested that drivers and residents nearby "refrain from speculating online or otherwise".
The police added: "We know that some of you may be stuck in the traffic caused by this road closure and that it may be frustrating to have your journey changed or delayed.
"We ask that you please be patient and allow our officers and colleagues to work to resume normality as soon as we can.
"If you have information or footage to assist our enquiries, please call 101 quoting log 1162 of October 26."
Drivers have been warned of roughly two hours of delays
|NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Updating drivers, National Highways shared: "We're reporting delays of up to 100 minutes on the M6 northbound between J27 (Standish) and J28 (Leyland) due to the closure of lanes 2 and 3 (of 3).
"Southbound remains closed for Lancashire Police investigation works."
The M6 motorway spans over 230 miles in length and covers the Midlands, through to the north of the UK, and into Scotland.
It starts at Junction 19 of the M1 at the Catthorpe Interchange, near Rugby, and then routes around Birmingham, Staffordshire, Stoke on Trent and between Liverpool and Manchester.