Commuters in north-west England faced significant disruption on Monday, March 23, 2026, after two major crashes forced the closure of the M61 and M53 motorways, leaving drivers stranded and the region’s roadways in chaos. The incidents, which unfolded overnight and into the morning rush hour, triggered lengthy delays, complex diversions, and a flurry of activity from emergency services and traffic officers.
According to National Highways, the first of the two incidents occurred on the M61 northbound between Junction 9 for the M65 and Junction 30 of the M6 near Preston, Lancashire. The crash was reported at approximately 2:00am, with authorities responding swiftly to the scene. The northbound carriageway was quickly closed, and as the sun rose, the motorway remained shut, with traffic officers and emergency services working tirelessly to investigate and clear the aftermath.
Details emerging from Blog Preston and other local outlets painted a picture of a serious collision, with a vehicle reportedly leaving the carriageway and crashing. The closure, which was put in place at 3:00am, led to significant knock-on effects for the region’s traffic. Not only was the M61 northbound affected, but the M65 westbound and M6 northbound also experienced long delays as motorists were redirected along a complex diversion route. Congestion on these alternative routes caused queues stretching back towards Chorley, and National Highways reported delays of around 50 minutes for those approaching the closure point.
In a statement provided to local media, a spokesperson for National Highways North West said, “The M61 remains closed northbound between J9 (M65) and the M6 J30 due to a serious collision. It will likely remain closed throughout the morning peak period.” Lancashire Constabulary, who were among the first responders, echoed this advice, urging drivers to seek alternative routes and promising updates as soon as the motorway could be reopened. "We want to let you know that the M61 is currently closed at Junction 9 northbound. At around 2am this morning we were called to reports of a serious collision, emergency services attended and we are currently still on scene. We recommend finding alternative routes at this time and we will update you once the motorway is reopened," a police spokesperson stated, according to Blog Preston.
As the morning wore on, recovery teams arrived at the scene. However, the complexity of the crash meant that clearing the carriageway would not be straightforward. Accident investigation work continued, and National Highways traffic officers remained on site to assist with traffic management. Diversion routes were clearly signposted, with drivers instructed to exit the M61 at Junction 9, take the slip road onto the M65, and follow a series of further directions through local roads and onto the M6. Despite these efforts, the sheer volume of displaced traffic led to significant congestion on all surrounding routes.
Meanwhile, a separate and equally serious incident unfolded on the M53 in Merseyside. This crash, which occurred on Sunday, March 22, 2026, involved a collision between a police car and a motorbike suspected to have been stolen. The incident took place near Junction 2 in Moreton, Wirral, at approximately 3:30pm, as reported by BBC and other outlets. The motorbike had first come to the attention of patrols on Love Lane in Wallasey, with officers suspecting it to be both stolen and uninsured.
Merseyside Police provided further details: "Just after 3.15pm, the motorbike - suspected to be stolen and uninsured - came to the attention of patrols on Love Lane in Wallasey. One male got off the bike and was detained at the scene. The bike then made off from patrols and was ridden by the male rider against traffic in the direction of the M53. At around 3.30pm, a police vehicle was in collision with the bike on the M53 northbound slip road at junction 2 (Moreton Spur)."
The rider suffered what police described as "serious injuries" and was promptly taken to hospital for assessment. As is standard procedure in such incidents, Merseyside Police confirmed that a mandatory referral would be made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to ensure full transparency and accountability in the investigation.
The M53 remained closed in both directions between Junction 2 and Junction 2a (Moreton Spur) for several hours as emergency services and traffic officers worked at the scene. National Highways warned that the closure was “likely to remain closed for several hours” while collision investigation works continued. Traffic maps showed slow-moving and stationary traffic on the surrounding roads, and drivers were urged to allow extra time for their journeys or to seek alternative routes.
For many commuters, the double blow of closures on the M61 and M53 resulted in a morning of frustration and uncertainty. Local news outlets, including BBC and Blog Preston, provided regular updates, but the advice remained consistent: avoid the affected areas if possible, follow diversion routes, and be prepared for significant delays.
While the full details of the M61 crash, including any injuries, have yet to be confirmed, the incident underscores the vulnerability of the region’s road network to major disruptions. With two of the north-west’s key motorways effectively out of action during a critical period, the effects rippled through local communities, businesses, and emergency services alike.
National Highways and police forces in both Lancashire and Merseyside emphasized their commitment to safety and thorough investigation. As recovery and investigation work continued into the morning, the focus remained on reopening the roads as quickly and safely as possible, while ensuring that all necessary procedures were followed.
For now, the closures on the M61 and M53 serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of travel and the importance of vigilance, patience, and cooperation on the roads. As authorities work to restore normalcy, commuters and residents alike will be hoping for swift resolutions and safer journeys ahead.