Motorists across Lancashire faced significant delays on the M6 this morning following a vehicle fire that shut down two lanes of the motorway. The fire occurred on the southbound carriageway near junction 31, close to the A59 Preston New Road, around 8:30 AM, triggering a growing backlog of traffic.
According to a statement from Lancashire Police, two of the four lanes were closed to allow emergency services to respond to the incident effectively. Fire crews were deployed to extinguish the blaze as traffic began to build up.
“The M6 at junction 31 southbound currently has two lanes closed due to a vehicle fire,” stated the police. They further advised motorists to seek alternative routes if possible as heavy traffic was expected to continue while the situation was being managed. “Please avoid the area if you can and we will provide an update when possible,” they urged, acknowledging the impact on the morning rush hour.
As the fire was brought under control by fire service personnel, delays worsened, with traffic reportedly backing up to junction 31A. It’s important to note that while the southbound lanes were temporarily affected, slow-moving traffic also congested the northbound carriageway as vehicles passed the scene.
The situation escalated further on the M6 as reports indicated that motorists were facing delays of approximately 30 minutes due to the ongoing fire response and the subsequent lane closures. This developed just as other trouble spots emerged nearby, including Bury Road in Rawtenstall, which was also closed due to a separate road traffic collision that compounded commuting woes.
While the freeway was operating under strain, the M65 was reported as blocked following another crash, adding strain on the area’s transport network. The cumulative effect of these incidents left many drivers frustrated, especially at the start of what is typically a busy travel day.
Traffic alerts brought by Inrix indicated that the affected lanes wouldn’t reopen until emergency repairs were completed. It was reported that congestion persisted well into the morning, making travel patience a virtue for those caught in the mess.
Reports indicated that delays reached over 23 minutes during peak congestion times as the AA Traffic News reported, with traffic speeds dropping to an average of just ten mph on the southbound lane. Meanwhile, a nine-minute delay was noted on the northbound side through the same stretch.
In a late update from National Highways, it was suggested that normal traffic conditions could resume by approximately 11:30 AM, although severe delays were still evident as the impact of the car fire rippled through the area, causing tailbacks that extended to the eastbound M55.
“Severe delays” were noted by the police as they continued to monitor the conditions and updated the public through social media. They alerted drivers of the heavy traffic that accumulated, reflecting the peak hours challenge when significant incidents like this disrupt the flow of a usual commute.
Motorists began to see gradual improvements as the fire was extinguished and repairs commenced. Traffic on the northbound side eventually cleared; however, conditions on the southbound remained impacted until all lanes were fully reopened.
Despite the troubled morning commute, drivers were urged to remain cautionary as they navigated around the various road closures and diversions. The frustration of motorways clogged with traffic due to uncontrollable incidents underscores the challenges faced by emergency services and traffic management authorities in maintaining flow during unforeseen circumstances.
In conclusion, motorists are reminded to stay updated through official channels and local traffic services for the latest travel information to evade unnecessary delays in the future. Road incidents like this serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of travel, particularly during peak hours.
