Drivers using the M6 through Cheshire are being urged to check traffic conditions before setting out on journeys this morning with the southbound carriageway currently partially closed between junction 18 at Holmes Chapel and junction 17 at Sandbach following an overnight incident which Highways England is working to clear.



The southbound carriageway was fully closed at around 2am this morning (Thursday 4 August) after an articulated lorry with 2 trailers overturned. Although 1 lane of the carriageway re-opened shortly after 7.30am, drivers are being advised that the recovery of the vehicle is unlikely to be completed before the end of this morning’s peak travel period and heavy congestion on the motorway and diversion routes is likely to persist for several hours. Drivers are advised to delay their journeys or seek alternative routes away from the area.



A separate incident on the northbound M6 in Staffordshire, between junction 15 and junction 16 near Stoke, has been largely cleared although 1 lane remains closed at the scene for repair work.



Highways England traffic officers have been working at the scene of the southbound incident through the night to manage traffic and help free drivers stuck behind the incident – with all ‘trapped traffic’ freed shortly after 3.30am. Meanwhile, colleagues at the North West Regional Control Centre at Newton-le-Willows and at the National Traffic Operations Centre at Quinton near Birmingham have set electronic message signs across the local, regional and national motorway network to advise drivers of the incidents and delays.



Drivers should check travel conditions before setting out on journeys. Highways England provides live traffic information via its website www.trafficengland.com, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Information is also available from Twitter via @highwaysNWEST as well as services in other regions.