M62 chaos: Drivers urged to avoid key motorway route amid huge lorry blaze - 'It's not safe to allow traffic'
Drivers are being urged to avoid the area
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Drivers are being urged to avoid a key route on the M62 following a massive lorry fire, with drivers seeing black smoke billowing from the vehicle.
Traffic has been stopped on the M62 eastbound between J20 and J23 Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, having been extended to allow for a better diversion route.
Officers from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and West Yorkshire Police Roads Policing Unit are on the scene.
The latest update from National Highways: Yorkshire states: "Due to a substantial lorry fire, the lorry was transporting sawdust. The fire has also spread to the nearside embankment."
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Traffic officers continue to deal with the incident
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Delays of 60 minutes have been reported on the approach to the closure with drivers told to expect delays with slow traffic on the diversion route.
Two lanes (of three) are also closed westbound past the scene due to drifting smoke.
A further statement from National Highways states: "There is also substantial drifting smoke from the lorry fire which is affecting both carriageways.
"It is therefore not safe to allow traffic on the eastbound carriageway to run past the scene."
National Highways currently has 10 traffic officer patrols assigned to the incident and will work from the back of the queue to allow people to leave.
There are more than four miles of traffic between J22 and the incident, with the traffic consisting of cars, coaches and 44-tonne lorries.
Responding to comments from drivers on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, National Highways said: "It will take some time."
The highway management agency confirmed that the driver of the lorry was able to get to safety.
Road users travelling east bound are advised to follow the hollow circle diversion symbol on road signs
- Exit at J22 and at the end of the slip road turn left onto the A672
- Follow the A672 to the junction with the A58
- Continue forward on to the A58
- Follow the A58 through Sowerby Bridge and towards Halifax
- At the junction with the A646 turn right
- Follow the A646 to the junction with the A629
- Turn right on to the A629 and continue to Ainley Top and J24 of the M62
- Take the second exit from the J24 roundabout to re-join the M62 eastbound
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
National Highways has warned of long delays in the area
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
At present, National Highways said it does not have a timetable for when the road will reopen and traffic conditions will return to normal.
It also clarified that it had "repeatedly asked" the Incident Commander from the Fire Service to open the outside lane for traffic, but this has been refused.
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