M6 closed after tanker collision

You may be aware the M6 is currently closed in both directions between Junctions 31 and 32 following a road traffic collision and we want to tell you what has happened.

Around 7am this morning (Sunday, July 2) a milk tanker travelling northbound collided with the central reservation, entering the southbound carriageway before overturning on to its side across the carriageway

A large quantity of milk and diesel has spilled onto the carriageway causing it to be closed.

A man and woman, the driver and passenger, have been taken to hospital for treatment.

Due to the nature of the spillage, the motorway is expected to be closed for some time.

Diversions routes are in place.

Ch Insp Patrick Worden, of Lancashire Police, said: “At this time we expect the motorway to be closed for some if not most of the day. “The tanker needs to be recovered and due to the large scale milk and diesel spillage, the motorway surface treated appropriately. “We expect this to cause significant delays and I would advise motorists to make plans for alternate routes. “We will update you with more information as and when appropriate.”

For more information about diversion routes Highways England has provided the following update;

The M6 in Lancashire is closed in both directions between J31 and J33 northbound and J31 and J32 southbound, near Lancaster due to Heavy Goods Vehicle transporting milk overturning, and coming to rest on the central reservation barrier.

This has caused a milk spillage across both sides of the carriageway.

The M6 J3a and J31 entry slips and the link road from the M55 eastbound to M6 J32 southbound are also closed.

Emergency services are in attendance. National Highways Traffic Officers are on scene to provide assistance with traffic management.

Diversion Routes

'Road users are advised to follow the solid square diversion symbol on road signs if heading southbound'.

Exit the M6 J32, Blackpool onto M55.Exit the M55 J1, Broughton, take the first roundabout exit A6 Preston.At the A6/A6085 junction turn left (M6 south)Follow the A5085 to the A59 roundabout.Take the first exit and follow the A59 to M61 J31, Tickle Trout.At the roundabout take the second exit. M6 south, Birmingham.'Road users are advised to follow the solid triangle diversion symbol on road signs if heading northbound'.

Exit the M6 J31, Tickle Trout.Take the first roundabout exit, Preston A59.At the next roundabout take the second exit, Blackpool (A583).At the A6 junction turn right (M6) (M55).Follow the A6 north to M55 J1 Broughton.'Road users are then advised to follow the hollow circle diversion symbol on road signs if heading northbound'.

Exit the M55 J1 (Broughton) and take the first exit at the roundabout A6 GarstangFollow the A6 northbound through Broughton, Barton, Bilsborrow and Garstang to M6 J33 (Lancaster South) .Re-join the M6 northboundIf this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.

Further information is available from National Highways by visiting our  www.trafficengland.com website and travel apps, or via our regional twitter feed. Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 5000.