Traffic tailbacks reach Chester after lorry sheds sodium silicate on M56

Sep 9 2009 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

THOUSANDS of motorists got stuck in a massive tailback on the M56 motorway after chemical barrels fell on the carriageway.

A 43-year-old lorry driver from Stafford has been interviewed by police after the drums fell from the wagon into the path of cars on the eastbound carriageway near the junction 12 slip road at Runcorn.

The tail-back stretched eight miles to Chester and beyond after the motorway was closed for more than seven hours from about 1.30pm on Tuesday.

It did not reopen until 9pm causing chaos on adjoining roads as motorists used alternatives routes.

Amazingly nobody was seriously injured during the incident although three cars, a Peugeot, a Ford and a Mercedes, did hit the barrels.

Police closed the eastbound carriageway and diverted traffic off the exit slip road just prior to the accident scene, while emergency services dealt with six leaking barrels containing a non-hazardous chemical.

Emergency services turned out in force including four fire engines, a hazardous materials unit, an ambulance, rapid response car and police vehicles and the force spotter plane.

Officials from the Environment Agency were also present to advise on how to deal with 200 litres of sodium silicate in fluid form, which was described as “sticky”.

The incident was handed over to the Highways Agency about 5pm.

Police spokeswoman Shelley Williams said the lorry, which shed its load of 18 barrels, had just “picked up”at Widnes before joining the motorway. Heavy rain had made the job of clearing up more difficult.

She said: “The cause of the incident is being investigated including an investigation into how the load was being carried.”