Drivers faced morning chaos on the M6 motorway following a serious accident involving a lorry and a van which led to the closure of all northbound lanes between junctions 32 and 33. The crash occurred at approximately 5:20 AM on February 5, 2025, and emergency services swiftly attended the scene.
According to Lancashire Police, the collision resulted in serious injuries to a man in his 50s, who was rushed to the hospital. This unfortunate incident has caused extensive traffic delays, with reports indicating up to seven miles of congestion leading toward junction 32 where the M6 intersects with the M55. Motorists have been warned to expect significant wait times amid the closure, which authorities anticipate will last for several hours.
“The M6 Northbound between junctions 32-33 is currently closed due to a road traffic collision. We anticipate it will be closed for some time. We’d recommend looking for alternative routes,” stated Lancashire Police. They also encouraged anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage to contact them for assistance.
National Highways confirmed the northbound closure and provided information about diversions for affected drivers. The recommended diversion involves exiting the M6 at junction 32 onto the M55, then following the A6 through Bilsborrow and Garstang before rejoining the M6 at junction 33. This alternative route has been implemented to alleviate the severe congestion forming along the motorway.
Traffic levels were reportedly backlogged significantly, with delays estimated at one hour or more as vehicles came to a standstill. Motorists caught up in this traffic described extensive delays, with many expressing concerns over the road conditions and the duration of their wait. “It’s been frustrating sitting here. I’ve been stuck since 5:40 AM and nothing seems to be moving,” one motorist stated on social media.
Further complications arose as local bus services were disrupted due to the M6 shutdown. Stagecoach confirmed cancellations on services between Preston and Lancaster until the motorway reopens, advising passengers to seek alternative travel arrangements.
National Highways emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting, “We hope to be able to open up a lane shortly,” though this remained uncertain as they dealt with collision investigation works. Meanwhile, some trapped traffic was being released gradually past the scene, but significant delays were still reported.
The police continued to monitor the situation closely, planning to keep the public updated via social media as more information became available. “We are doing everything necessary to get the road reopened as soon as possible, and we thank you for your patience during this busy morning,” they confirmed.
Local alternative routes have also been showing heavy traffic, with significant delays reported on roads through Preston and South Ribble. Drivers on the A6 and B6258 have experienced sluggish movement as traffic diversions from the M6 parallel with these routes.
National Highways later updated the expected times for reopening, indicating normal traffic could resume between 9:30 AM and 9:45 AM, depending on the completion of recovery and investigative activities.
Overall, this incident on the M6 serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of road travel, especially during peak hours, and the importance of staying informed about real-time traffic conditions. Motorists are urged to remain patient and adhere to police guidance as they navigate the aftermath of this serious crash.