Overview

• A grain-laden trailer caught fire at around 5:09 BST on May 27 on the M6 northbound Thelwall Viaduct between junctions 20 and 21, with crews attributing the blaze to a suspected brake fault.
• Firefighters from Cheshire and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services used breathing apparatus, hose reels and thermal imaging to extinguish flames and prevent spillage.
• National Highways led a complex recovery operation using specialist mats and dams to remove debris and the trailer’s load, fully reopening all lanes by approximately 9:25 BST.
• Motorists faced up to 12 miles of congestion and delays reaching 90 minutes northbound, while the southbound side also slowed as drivers paused to view the scene.
• This incident follows a series of recent motorway disruptions in the UK, highlighting ongoing challenges for commuters on the strategic road network.