Morning commuters across West Yorkshire faced severe disruption on Tuesday 6 January 2026 after a crash on the M62 left two lanes blocked on one of the region’s busiest stretches. Long queues built quickly as traffic ground to a halt between Tingley and Lofthouse, with drivers reporting stop-start conditions for miles and journey times stretching far beyond the usual peak hour delays.

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Crash Between Tingley and Lofthouse Brings Eastbound Traffic to a Standstill

The incident occurred shortly before 9:00 a.m. on the M62 eastbound between Junction 28 at Tingley and Junction 29, where the motorway links with the M1 at Lofthouse. Initial reports indicated a collision involving multiple vehicles on the inside lanes, prompting an immediate response from emergency services and traffic officers.

Two of the four eastbound lanes were closed after the crash as police, ambulance crews and National Highways teams worked at the scene. With only lanes three and four available, traffic was forced to merge at short notice, creating a bottleneck at the height of the morning rush. Witnesses described traffic “crawling” past the incident and long stretches of stationary queues stretching back towards earlier junctions.

By mid-morning, congestion had spilled well beyond the immediate approach to Junction 28, affecting feeder routes that funnel vehicles onto the M62. Local drivers heading towards Leeds, Wakefield and the wider M1 corridor reported delays of more than an hour, with some abandoning planned motorway routes in favour of slower but more predictable local roads.

Emergency Services Response and Ongoing Safety Operations

West Yorkshire Police and National Highways confirmed that emergency teams were dispatched rapidly once the collision was reported. Standard motorway collision protocol requires multiple lane closures whenever there is any uncertainty about injuries, debris on the carriageway or potential damage to safety barriers, and this was reflected in the extensive cordon established at the scene.

Paramedics were seen working among stationary traffic while police officers guided vehicles past the incident using the remaining open lanes. Recovery vehicles joined the operation soon afterwards, tasked with removing damaged vehicles and checking for any fluid spills or debris that could present a continued hazard to traffic.

Highways officers also monitored the wider network via cameras and sensor data, adjusting electronic warning signs on the M62 and adjoining routes. Reduced speed limits and “lane closed” messages were displayed well in advance of the crash site to give drivers more time to change lanes and reduce the risk of secondary collisions, which are a frequent concern when traffic slows suddenly on high speed roads.

Commuters Face Miles of Tailbacks and Knock-on Delays

The timing of the crash, coinciding with a busy first-week-back commute after the Christmas and New Year period, amplified its impact. Many businesses and schools across West Yorkshire resumed normal schedules this week, bringing typical weekday traffic volumes back onto the motorway network just as the collision occurred.

Queues on the M62 built quickly as thousands of vehicles converged on the narrowed section eastbound. Drivers heading towards the M1 junction at Lofthouse were among the worst affected, with tailbacks reported for several miles and some motorists stuck in near-gridlock conditions for extended periods. Social media posts described “bumper to bumper” traffic and long waits to travel even short distances between junctions.

The disruption spread beyond the motorway as navigation apps and live traffic boards advised drivers to seek alternative routes. Key local roads around Tingley, Morley, Wakefield and parts of south Leeds carried higher-than-normal volumes, causing delays on suburban corridors that are not designed to carry prolonged surges in through-traffic. Bus operators also reported slower journey times where their services intersect the motorway approaches.

Weather, Winter Conditions and a Stretched Road Network

The crash came as the UK continues to grapple with a spell of winter weather that has placed additional strain on major routes. Forecasters have highlighted sub-zero overnight temperatures, patchy snow and widespread ice across northern England, all of which can combine to reduce grip and increase braking distances on fast-moving motorways.

Higher sections of the M62 over the Pennines and exposed stretches in West Yorkshire have been singled out by travel authorities as particularly vulnerable to black ice and drifting snow during this period. While the precise cause of Tuesday’s collision has not yet been confirmed, drivers were already being urged to approach the route with caution, reduce speeds and allow more time for journeys in the coming days.

National Highways teams have been running enhanced winter operations, including extended gritting runs and round-the-clock monitoring of road surface temperatures. Even so, early-morning and late-evening journeys remain challenging, with motorists reminded that treated roads can still be slippery, especially on slip roads, lane markings and bridge decks.

A Critical Artery for West Yorkshire and the North of England

The M62 is one of the most strategically important corridors in northern England, linking Liverpool and Manchester with Leeds, Bradford and Hull while also connecting to the M1 towards the Midlands and London. The stretch between Junction 28 at Tingley and Junction 29 at Lofthouse is a particularly busy segment, functioning as a major gateway for commuter traffic entering the Leeds city region.

Regular users are no strangers to congestion on this complex interchange system, where traffic from several major A-roads combines with flows from the M1. Even minor incidents, breakdowns or short-term lane closures can result in queues and slow-moving traffic. A more serious crash that takes out two lanes for a sustained period increases both the intensity and duration of delays, with ripple effects spreading across the wider regional network.

Transport analysts note that this week’s crash underscores how vulnerable key motorway nodes remain to disruption, despite continued investment in smart motorway technology and real-time traffic management. When capacity is suddenly reduced, especially at a major interchange, there is limited redundancy for drivers, and journeys can immediately become unpredictable.

Travel Advice for Drivers Using the M62 in the Coming Days

With winter weather set to continue and further planned roadworks scheduled along various parts of the M62 corridor during January, motorists are being encouraged to check live traffic updates before setting out and to build extra time into their travel plans. Commuters who can vary their departure times may benefit from avoiding the busiest windows while the network recovers from the current disruption and as additional maintenance work takes place.

Drivers are also reminded of general winter safety guidance when using high-speed roads. This includes slowing down in poor visibility or where surfaces may be icy, keeping a greater distance from the vehicle in front, and ensuring that lights, wipers and tyres are all in good working order before embarking on longer journeys. Motorists planning cross-Pennine travel should pay particular attention to local forecasts and any short-notice warnings issued by the Met Office or regional police forces.

Regular users of the M62 across West Yorkshire may wish to stay informed about scheduled overnight lane closures around key junctions such as 27, 28, 29 and 30, where maintenance and roadside equipment works are on the calendar this month. Although these works are primarily planned outside peak hours, any overruns or unexpected incidents can have knock-on effects for morning traffic, especially in challenging weather.

Impact on Regional Travel and Tourism Confidence

While Tuesday’s disruption was most keenly felt by local commuters and freight operators, the M62 incident is also a reminder to visitors and domestic tourists of the need for flexibility when planning trips across northern England during the winter season. The corridor through West Yorkshire forms part of many onward journeys to the Yorkshire Dales, the Pennines and coastal destinations further east, and delays here can easily cascade into missed connections and changed itineraries.

Travel planners and tour operators increasingly factor in the potential for motorway disruption when designing schedules, particularly during early January when weather-related incidents are more common. Staggered departure times, built-in buffer periods and clear communication with clients about possible delays are now considered essential elements of responsible trip planning in the region.

Despite the challenges, tourism bodies continue to emphasise that West Yorkshire and the wider north of England remain accessible, with rail links, regional airports and a broad network of A-roads providing alternatives when sections of the motorway are affected. For visitors willing to adapt plans slightly and follow official travel advice, the region’s cities and rural attractions remain within comfortable reach.

FAQ

Q1: Where exactly did the M62 crash happen in West Yorkshire?
The crash occurred on the M62 eastbound between Junction 28 at Tingley and Junction 29 at the M1 interchange near Lofthouse, a key stretch serving traffic towards Leeds and the M1 corridor.

Q2: How many lanes were blocked and how long were delays?
Two of the four eastbound lanes were closed following the collision. Delays quickly built to several miles of queuing traffic, with many drivers experiencing significantly longer than usual journey times through the affected section.

Q3: Were there any injuries reported in the incident?
At the time of writing, full details about injuries have not been released. Emergency medical teams attended the scene as a precaution, which is standard procedure for a crash of this scale on a busy motorway.

Q4: What time did the crash happen and how did it affect the morning rush hour?
The collision was reported shortly before 9:00 a.m., right in the heart of the morning rush. As a result, many commuters traveling towards Leeds, Wakefield and the M1 junction experienced severe hold-ups.

Q5: Is winter weather thought to have played a role?
Authorities have not confirmed the cause, but the crash came amid a period of low temperatures, snow showers and ice across northern England. Drivers were already being warned about slippery conditions and longer braking distances on high-speed routes.

Q6: How did the crash affect local roads around Tingley and Lofthouse?
As traffic diverted away from the M62, surrounding A-roads and local streets around Tingley, Morley, Wakefield and south Leeds saw heavier volumes, leading to slower journeys and congestion well beyond the motorway itself.

Q7: What should motorists do if they need to use the M62 in the next few days?
Drivers are advised to check live traffic updates before traveling, allow extra time for their journeys, adjust speeds to suit the weather conditions, and be aware of planned overnight roadworks that may affect specific junctions.

Q8: Are there alternative routes for cross-Pennine travel if the M62 is disrupted?
Depending on the journey, alternatives can include the M1, A1(M) and selected A-roads, although these may also be busy in poor weather. Transport authorities generally recommend staying on main treated routes and only diverting if official updates confirm a clear advantage.

Q9: How does this incident impact visitors and tourists traveling through West Yorkshire?
The crash highlights the importance of building flexibility into itineraries, particularly in winter. Visitors should factor in potential motorway delays, consider alternative timings or modes of transport, and keep an eye on local travel advice when planning day trips and transfers.

Q10: What long-term steps are being taken to improve resilience on the M62?
Ongoing work includes targeted maintenance, roadside equipment upgrades and careful scheduling of roadworks, alongside smart traffic management and real-time information services. These measures aim to reduce the impact of incidents, although major crashes during peak hours are still likely to cause significant disruption.