A significant portion of the M6 motorway in Lancashire has been abruptly closed to all traffic following a police-led incident, with authorities unable to provide any estimated time for reopening. The closure has created extensive queues and severe disruptions for drivers during the morning commute.
Major Disruption on Key Motorway Route
National Highways has confirmed that traffic has been completely halted on the M6 northbound outside Preston after an undisclosed incident. The affected stretch runs between Junction 28 at Leyland and Junction 30 at Bamber Bridge, effectively cutting off a crucial section of this vital transportation artery.
In an official statement, National Highways emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating: "Due to the nature of the incident, there is currently no estimated reopening time." This uncertainty has left thousands of motorists stranded in what has been described as a "huge queue" stretching for miles along the motorway approach.
Second Closure Adds to Commuter Chaos
Compounding the transportation crisis, another section of the M6 further south near Warrington has also been completely shut down due to what authorities describe as an "ongoing police-led incident." This additional closure affects the northbound carriageway between Junction 21 and Junction 21A in Cheshire.
National Highways provided detailed information about the Warrington closure, explaining: "Cheshire Police are leading the response and are carrying out investigations on the M6 northbound between J21 and J21A near Warrington, requiring a full closure of the carriageway."
The agency further revealed that Cheshire Police notified them at 02:52am requesting assistance with implementing full closures to establish a safe working environment at the scene. Traffic officers have been working throughout the night to maintain closure points and manage the controlled turning of vehicles caught within the affected area.
Morning Commute Severely Impacted
As the morning rush hour approached, both closures remained firmly in place with no expected end time available. National Highways issued a stark warning to travelers: "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time." Motorists have been explicitly told to "expect delays" that could extend for hours given the dual closures on this major transportation corridor.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the two incidents—one near Preston and the other near Warrington—are connected in any way. The simultaneous closures on different sections of the same motorway have created unprecedented disruption along one of England's busiest transportation routes.
The extended nature of the closures, combined with the lack of reopening estimates, suggests these are serious incidents requiring thorough police investigation. Traffic management teams continue to work at both locations to maintain safety and manage the growing backlog of vehicles affected by these unexpected motorway shutdowns.
