Drivers heading north along the M6 towards Cumbria and Scotland are being advised the northbound carriageway has been closed following a serious road traffic collision – and is likely to remain closed beyond this evening’s peak travel period.
The northbound carriageway is currently closed from junction 39 at Shap to junction 40 at Penrith. Following the collision shortly before noon today (Monday 28 February) Cumbria Police has launched an incident investigation which is likely to take several hours. National Highways will then need to inspect the carriageway for any damage and carry out any repairs before the northbound carriageway can re-open.
The southbound carriageway was closed briefly due to smoke from a fire in a vehicle involved in the incident but has since re-opened. National Highways traffic officers are at the scene helping to free drivers stuck between junction 39 and the incident; vehicles are being turned around and freed from the motorway at junction 39. Staff at the North West Regional Operations Centre (NWROC) near Warrington and National Traffic Operations Centre (NTOC) at Birmingham have set electronic signs across the motorway network to warn drivers of the northbound carriageway closure.
A diversion is in place from junction 39 using the parallel A6 but drivers wishing to avoid congestion along the A6 should seek an alternative route or delay their journeys.
Drivers are advised to check traffic conditions before setting out on journeys. Live traffic information is always available at www.trafficengland.com or from National Highways’ 24-7 customer contact centre at 0300 123 5000. Updates will also be posted to @HighwaysNWest – National Highways’ regional Twitter feed.
