Drivers have been warned to expect hours of delays this morning after an HGV fire has wreaked havoc on a major motorway, causing serious disruption across the North East.
The incident occurred on the M62 with J18 and J19 eastbound, subsequently closing with severe delays of at least two hours.
The fire was reported to National Highways at approximately 6am this morning, with the agency halting traffic while Manchester Fire and Rescue work to extinguish the fire.
The agency explained that traffic has since been released. The incident has caused lanes 1 and 2 to remain closed while the HGV is removed.
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Due to significant debris, National Highways has requested a grab wagon and sweeper to help clear the road.
Once this is completed, a carriageway assessment will be carried out to determine whether resurfacing is required.
National Highways is currently waiting for equipment to remove the HGV
|NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
National Highways shared: "If this impacts your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."
Normal traffic conditions are expected to return between 1:45 and 2pm later today, with drivers urged to follow the latest traffic advice.
The M62 stretches across the north of the UK, from east to west and connects to several cities, including Liverpool, Manchester, Warrington, Hull, Huddersfield, Halifax and Leeds.
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Normal traffic conditions are expected to return by 2pm later today
|NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
According to the RAC, junctions 18 and 29 are the worst for delays, with the stretch of road between Manchester and West Yorkshire among the most congested in the UK.
"You can expect slow-moving traffic at certain points here," the insurer stated.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to reports of a vehicle fire at around 5:45am this morning.
Three fire engines from Blackley, Whitefield and Heywood fire stations arrived at the scene, where the cab of a large HGV "was well alight".
Drivers have been warned to expect serious delays this morning
|NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
The spokesperson shared: "The driver had exited the vehicle safely prior to the arrival of the fire service.
"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels to tackle the blaze and bring it under control. Further specialist equipment, including a short extension ladder, scene lighting and a thermal imaging camera, was also utilised."