Motorway reopened after crash involving tanker between junctions 41 and 42

The M6 has since reopened.

The collision, involving an empty tanker, happened between junctions 41 and 42 today (28 April).

The tanker collided with the central reservation barrier before crossing over into lane three of the southbound carriageway – damaging about 20 metres of safety barrier and closing both carriageways.

A Cumbria Police investigation into the incident is underway. 

Southbound has now reopened however, the northbound carriageway is likely to remain closed into this evening’s peak travel period while the police investigation continues and arrangements are made to remove the tanker from the motorway and to carry out any barrier and carriageway repairs.

The incident happened several miles north of junction 41 with vehicles on the northbound carriageway stuck between the junction and the incident.

National Highways traffic officers are working to free drivers stuck behind the incident by turning them around on the carriageway back towards junction 41 where they will be able to join the diversion route or the southbound M6.

A diversion is in place in both directions with drivers using the A6 to travel between junction 41 and junction 42. 

Congestion on the diversion route is already very heavy so drivers should delay journeys or seek alternative routes if they are heading towards Carlisle or to Scotland.

National Highways' 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 carriageway closure.

We'll bring you the latest updates on the M6 crash and traffic this afternoon.