The northbound carriageway of the M6 has been closed following a substantial lorry fire that occurred in the early hours of April 14, 2025. The fire broke out around 2:30 AM BST between junction 22 for the Winwick Interchange in Cheshire and junction 23 for Haydock Island, prompting immediate action from emergency services.
According to National Highways, the motorway was initially closed in both directions as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze. However, the southbound carriageway reopened approximately an hour later, while the northbound remains closed and is expected to stay that way for several hours due to the significant damage caused by the fire.
Motorists have been warned to expect delays during the morning rush hour, with traffic monitoring service Inrix reporting that queues are stretching back to junction 21A for the M62. The closure has also resulted in heavy traffic on surrounding routes, as drivers attempt to avoid the affected area.
Inrix has noted that there are currently 30-minute delays on the A49 in Newton-le-Willows, as well as 15-minute delays on the A579 heading towards the East Lancs Road. The knock-on effects of the closure are evident, with drivers facing increasing congestion as they navigate around the blocked section of the M6.
A spokesperson for National Highways stated, "The M6 in Greater Manchester is closed northbound between J22 (Winwick) and J23 (Haydock Island) due to a substantial lorry fire. Manchester Fire and Rescue, Greater Manchester Police, and National Highways Traffic Officers are in attendance. The closure is expected to remain in place for several hours due to the significance of the blaze and the high likelihood of carriageway repairs once the fire has been extinguished."
To aid traffic management during the peak morning hours, link roads from the M62 in both directions to the M6 northbound at junction 10 have also been closed. Drivers wishing to join the M6 northbound from the M62 are advised to take the M6 southbound and exit at junction 21 to rejoin the northbound carriageway.
As the situation develops, motorists are advised to follow the signed diversion routes to minimize delays. The recommended diversion involves exiting the M6 at junction 22, turning right onto the A572 northbound, then left onto the B5207, and finally right onto the A580 westbound to rejoin the M6.
Images from the scene show firefighters battling the blaze in the early hours, highlighting the scale of the incident. The fire has caused significant damage to the road surface, which will necessitate extensive repairs once it is safe to do so.
Traffic is expected to remain heavy throughout the morning as commuters navigate the detours and delays. National Highways continues to monitor the situation closely, providing updates as they become available.
For those traveling in the area, patience is advised as recovery operations are ongoing and further delays are anticipated. The M6 is a crucial artery for transportation in the region, and disruptions such as this can have widespread implications for travel times and logistics.
As the recovery work continues, the focus remains on ensuring safety and restoring normal traffic flow as quickly as possible. Motorists are encouraged to stay informed through traffic updates and plan their journeys accordingly.
