Overview
- The M6 is closed in both directions between junctions 23 and 26 near Wigan after a welfare call, where a woman was pronounced dead at the scene with formal identification pending.
- National Highways says the M6 closure is likely to last much of the day, with delays of up to an hour and diversions routing traffic via the M58, A570 Rainford Bypass and A580 East Lancs Road.
- A separate lorry fire has shut the M25 anti-clockwise between junctions 25 (Waltham Cross) and 24 (Potters Bar), with fire crews on scene, a signed diversion in place and delays reported up to about 60 minutes.
- On the A34 northbound between M4 J13 and the A4185, recovery of an HGV down an embankment and repairs to roughly 200 metres of damaged central barrier are ongoing, with lane 2 closures planned into January 17.
- Elsewhere, a collision involving two HGVs on the M42 southbound within junction 1 left lanes and the exit slip closed, with Highways officers reporting approach delays of up to around 80 minutes.