Major traffic disruption as M6 closed following serious collisions
Two serious crashes have completely closed the southbound carriageway of the M6 in south Cumbria and Lancashire leading to major traffic disruption.
The motorway is shut between junction 36 at Kirkby Lonsdale and junction 34 at Lancaster following the collisions this morning.
Police say the motorway is likely to be closed for most of the day.
The first incident occurred at around 4am and led to 300 litres of diesel leaking onto the road surface at junction 34 when a lorry struck the central reservation, rupturing its fuel tank. The lorry has been removed from the scene but the road requires resurfacing due to the diesel leak.
The second collision happened just after 6am, close to junction 35 at Carnforth, and involved three lorries. This incident also led to a large diesel spillage and the road will need to be resurfaced once the police investigation has been completed.
As well as the southbound carriageway being completely shut, the northbound carriageway is down to just one lane.
Motorists are advised to leave the M6 at junction 40 and travel southbound via the A66 and A1.
A diversion has also been set where drivers are asked to leave the M6 at junction 36 and take the A65 and A683 before re-joining the M6 at junction 34.
