There's gridlock on the M6 as the motorway has been shut near Knutsford after a lorry smashed through the central reservation.

The incident happened between junctions 19 for Knutsford and 20 for the M56 just before noon.

Both carriageways of the motorway were closed while the emergency services cleared the wreckage and a diesel spillage.

Northbound is shut and one lane has reopened on the southbound motorway.

The crash is causing long tailbacks in both directions.

Our colleagues at the MEN will be providing live updates.

Statement from Highways England

Here’s the latest from Highways England:

The M6 in Cheshire is closed northbound between J19 and J20 to facilitate emergency resurfacing works.


“This follows an incident earlier today where an HGV collided with the central reservation. The collision resulted in a significant amount of damage to the barrier (which has now been repaired) and a large amount of diesel and oil to be spilt across all three lanes of the carriageway.


“Diverted traffic should exit the motorway at J19 and follow the solid square diversion symbol. Take the A556 northbound for 4.5 miles. At the roundabout with the A56 Bowden Roundabout, take a u-turn and follow the A556 southbound for approximately 0.7 miles to the junction with the M56 at J8. Take the M56 westbound to J9, and then rejoin the M6 northbound.


“Please allow extra time for your journey as there are delays of over an hour on approach to the closure.”

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Delays of two hours

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Three lanes still closed northbound

All three lanes of the northbound M6 remain closed following the earlier crash between J19 and J20.

North West Motorway Police, Fire & Rescue and Highways England Traffic Officers are still on scene dealing with a significant clean-up operation where debris and a spillage of fuel are across the carriageway.

Traffic is using the hard shoulder to pass the scene.

All lanes have reopened on the southbound M6.

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All lanes open southbound

Good news if you are travelling south.

All lanes have reopened on the southbound between J20 and J19.

Lane closures are still in place on the northbound carriageway, with just the hard shoulder in use to allow traffic through.

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Three hour delays

Highways England have warned motorists on the northbound M6 to expect THREE hour delays.

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Latest from Highways England

Here is the latest from Highways England:

There are severe delays of over an hour and a half on the M6 in Cheshire due to a single vehicle collision involving a lorry which has collided with the central reservation between J19 (Knutsford) and J20 (M56).

North West Motorway Police, Fire & Rescue and Highways England Traffic Officers are on scene dealing with a significant clean-up operation where debris and a spillage of fuel are across the carriageway. Lanes 1, 2 and 3 are closed on the northbound carriageway with traffic using the hard shoulder to pass the scene.

In addition 1 lane is closed on the southbound carriageway between J20 and J19.

Motorists heading towards the area are advised to allow additional travelling time.

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Disruption to remain during rush hour

The clean-up of both carriageways is still ongoing and motorists have been told to expect disruption during rush hour.

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Latest pictures from M6

Here are the latest pictures from the northbound M6 showing the scale of the fuel leak.

Traffic is still only using the hardshoulder northbound.

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Two lanes now reopen southbound

Only one lane is now closed southbound.

Traffic is still using the hard shoulder only on northbound carriageway.

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An end to the misery is in sight

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All lanes could reopen soon southbound

Emergency repairs have nearly been completed, with all lanes set to reopen soon.

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The northbound carriageway has re-opened

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Significant clean-up operation underway

Here is the latest from Highways England.

The M6 in Cheshire is closed northbound between J19 (Knutsford) and J20 (M56) due to a single vehicle collision involving a lorry which has collided with the central reservation. North West Motorway Police, Fire & Rescue and Highways England Traffic Officers are on scene dealing with a significant clean-up operation where debris and a spillage of fuel are across the carriageway.

Traffic is being diverted and should follow the solid square diversion route. Motorists are to exit the M6 at J19 and take the third exit onto the A556 northbound, continue until the junction with the M56. Join the M56 westbound at J8 and follow to J9 where you can re-join the M6.

In addition 2 lanes are closed on the southbound carriageway between J20 and J19.

Motorists heading towards the area are advised to allow additional travelling time.

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Lane could soon reopen

One lane could soon reopen northbound.

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HGV driver unhurt, say police

A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police said the motorway was closed after an HGV jack-knifed.

The driver was unnjured and no-one else was hurt in the incident, she said.

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30 mile queue in both directions

Traffic is now being allowed to pass the scene of the crash on the southbound carriageway on the hard shoulder as the emergency services clear the wreckage and fuel spillage.

The northbound carriageway remains closed.A lorry travelling on the southbound carriageway crashed through the central reservation between J20 and J19 and traffic restrictions have been in place since 12.20pm.Traffic is being diverted via the A54 west towards Middlewich, A530 to Northwich and A556 to the new link road at the M56 J7/8.

The tailbacks now now exceed 30 miles in both directions.Journeys through this stretch of motorway are taking an estimated two hours.

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What's left of the barrier

This shows the damage caused when the lorry smashed through the central barriers.

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Closed for 'several hours'

Highways England now saying the northbound carriageway is expected to be closed for several hours.

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Queues building

Traffic England’s live map shows the current situation - black and checked colours mean stationary traffic.

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Delays of 90 minutes southbound

Traffic information service Inrix says motorists travelling southbound, which has two lanes closed, can expect delays of 90 minutes.

The northbound carriageway is still closed with traffic stationary.

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Diversion details

Highways England have issued diversion details for drivers caught up in the crash.

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Fuel spillage

There is a large fuel spillage on the motorway following the crash.

There are no reports of any injuries.

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Motorway now closed from junction 18

The northbound M6 has now been closed between junction 18 and junction 20.

Two lanes are closed southbound.

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Use alternative routes

Police are urging drivers to use alternative routes.

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Lorry crashed into central reservation

A lorry has crashed into the central reservation, closing the northbound M6.

Two lanes remain closed southbound.

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