Traffic on one of northern England’s busiest motorways descended into chaos on Friday morning as drivers on the M62 westbound near Wakefield were hit by long queues and reported delays of around thirty minutes following a serious incident. The disruption, affecting commuters, freight traffic and holidaymakers heading towards West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, underlined once again how a single collision on this strategic trans-Pennine route can ripple across regional travel plans within minutes.

What Happened on the M62 Westbound Near Wakefield

The latest disruption unfolded on the M62 westbound in the Leeds and Wakefield corridor, a stretch of motorway that routinely carries high volumes of traffic between Yorkshire and the North West. During the morning peak on 6 February 2026, an incident on the westbound carriageway triggered an immediate response from emergency services and motorway traffic officers, with drivers quickly reporting sudden braking, lane closures and standstill queues.

Initial information from live traffic reporting services referenced a collision on the westbound carriageway combined with congestion already building from routine peak-time demand. Authorities implemented rolling traffic holds and temporary lane closures to give emergency services safe access to the scene, with vehicles funnelled into fewer lanes and speed restrictions applied. Within a short time, journey times through the affected section had stretched by up to half an hour, with knock-on queues forming well back from the actual crash site.

While the full circumstances of the collision are still being examined by police and highways investigators, early indications pointed to a multi-vehicle impact on a heavily trafficked section of carriageway. Conditions were typical of a winter morning in West Yorkshire, with low temperatures, damp road surfaces and occasional reduced visibility, all of which can exacerbate the consequences of sudden braking or driver distraction.

As is standard after a significant collision on a high-speed route, officers conducted on-scene safety assessments and began gathering witness statements while recovery teams prepared to move damaged vehicles from live lanes. This combination of incident response, evidence gathering and vehicle recovery was at the heart of the extended delays experienced by westbound drivers attempting to reach Leeds, Bradford and beyond.

Delays, Diversions and a Morning of Frayed Nerves

For many motorists, the immediate impact was a tense and frustrating wait in slow or stationary traffic. Live traffic sensors and on-the-ground reports described heavy queues on the westbound approach to the affected junctions, with some drivers crawling along at under 10 miles per hour and others coming to repeated standstill as traffic was metered through the narrowed carriageway.

Average delays of around thirty minutes were reported for those already committed to the route, with journey times fluctuating depending on the precise time drivers hit the back of the queue. Commuters who regularly use the M62 to reach Leeds, Wakefield or employment hubs further west found themselves sending apologetic messages to workplaces and rearranging morning meetings as their usual schedules unravelled.

National Highways and local traffic services advised westbound motorists to consider alternative routes where possible, including the M1 corridor south of Leeds and the A1 and A638 for longer-distance traffic. However, with these roads themselves under pressure, diversions risked spreading congestion further across the region’s network. Local routes through towns and villages near Wakefield also began to experience heavier volumes as drivers attempted to bypass the incident, at the expense of slower urban progress and additional delays at junctions and roundabouts.

As the morning progressed and recovery operations moved forward, traffic officers were able to start reopening lanes. Even after all lanes were restored, residual queues persisted for some time, with journey times only gradually returning to normal levels after the bulk of the peak commuting period had passed.

How the Incident Affects Travellers Crossing the Pennines

The M62 is a vital east to west corridor, connecting the port city of Hull and the industrial centres of West Yorkshire with the cities of Manchester and Liverpool. Any disruption near Wakefield has an immediate effect on those travelling not only within Yorkshire but also on longer trans-Pennine journeys, including tourists heading for the Peak District, the Pennine hills or onward to the North West’s major airports.

For leisure travellers and visitors, delays of thirty minutes or more can mean missed check-in windows, rearranged day trips and compressed itineraries. Those using the motorway as part of longer cross-country drives may find that a relatively short hold-up early in the journey becomes magnified by further congestion later on, particularly around other well-known bottlenecks near Manchester and Warrington.

Coach operators and tour groups are especially vulnerable to such incidents, as they work to tight schedules linking hotel check-outs, attraction opening times and onward rail or ferry departures. For travellers currently planning itineraries that involve the M62, this latest disruption is a reminder that building a buffer into travel times is prudent, particularly at peak hours or during winter months when both weather and traffic volumes can be unpredictable.

Freight and logistics movements also feel the effects quickly. Westbound goods vehicles carrying time-sensitive loads from Yorkshire’s distribution centres to destinations in Lancashire and Merseyside can find their delivery slots squeezed when the M62 stalls. In response, some operators now routinely factor in contingency time for known pinch points, but a serious incident such as this still risks late arrivals, driver hours complications and reshuffled delivery runs.

Why the M62 Near Wakefield Is So Vulnerable to Disruption

The Wakefield and Leeds section of the M62 sits at the heart of a densely interconnected motorway network, linking with the M1, M606 and M621. This junction-rich environment draws in commuter, regional and long-distance traffic, all compressing into the same limited stretches of carriageway at peak times. When everything flows smoothly, the system can handle enormous volumes. When something goes wrong, the surplus demand has nowhere to go.

Over recent years, incremental improvements in smart motorway technology, including variable speed limits and active lane management, have helped smooth some of the worst peaks. Yet the fundamental geometry of the route, combined with the number of closely spaced junctions, leaves it highly sensitive to sudden incidents. A single collision in a live lane can instantly create a shockwave of braking that travels far beyond the scene itself.

Weather and seasonal factors add further complexity. In winter, the exposed stretches of motorway across high ground and open countryside between Leeds and Huddersfield are prone to fog, sudden crosswinds and icy patches. Near Wakefield, heavy rain can reduce visibility and lengthen braking distances. All of this increases the margin for error in already dense traffic, amplifying the potential impact of a moment’s lapse in concentration or an unexpected breakdown.

Authorities and engineers have long recognised the strategic importance of this part of the network, and planned roadworks in the wider Wakefield district continue to focus on maintenance, resurfacing and incremental capacity improvements. Even so, as traffic volumes grow, the margin for disruption from a single major incident remains small, and events like today’s serve as a stark illustration of that vulnerability.

Lessons for Drivers: Staying Safe and Travel-Smart on the M62

For individual drivers, there are practical steps that can reduce both the risk of becoming involved in a collision and the stress of dealing with inevitable disruption when it occurs. On this latest morning of delays, many motorists with access to up-to-date traffic apps, in-car navigation and local radio reports were able to alter departure times or switch routes before hitting the worst of the queues.

Building extra time into any journey that includes the M62, especially near Wakefield, Leeds or the Pennine summits, is increasingly important. For regular commuters, leaving even fifteen minutes earlier can sometimes be the difference between breezing through at steady speed and getting trapped behind a major incident. For visitors unfamiliar with local back roads, it is often safer and less stressful to remain on the motorway, following official advice and electronic signs, rather than diving into unfamiliar narrow routes that can become congested and challenging.

Safety remains paramount. Tailgating and aggressive lane changes are a common sight when drivers are anxious about delays, yet they also significantly increase the likelihood of further collisions and secondary incidents. Maintaining safe following distances, using indicators clearly and early, and respecting variable speed limits can all help keep traffic moving and reduce the chance that routine congestion turns into something more serious.

For those who find themselves stopped or crawling in queues after an incident, staying calm is critical. Keeping a safe gap to the vehicle ahead, avoiding unnecessary lane hopping, and keeping an eye out for emergency vehicles trying to reach the scene all contribute to a safer environment for everyone on the road. Simple preparatory steps such as carrying water, ensuring mobile phones are charged and having warm clothing to hand in winter can also make an unexpected delay more manageable.

Impact on Local Communities and the Wider Travel Picture

Although the M62 is a national strategic route, it runs through and around real communities, many of them in the Wakefield district and surrounding areas. When traffic grinds to a halt on the motorway, local roads often bear the brunt as drivers attempt to divert through suburbs and small towns, bringing with them additional congestion, noise and air pollution.

Residents close to junctions near Wakefield frequently report heavy rat-running during major motorway incidents, with normally quiet streets suddenly handling streams of unfamiliar vehicles. This creates safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as extending journey times for local bus services and emergency vehicles. On days like today, when a westbound collision triggers prolonged delays, that local impact becomes immediately visible.

From a broader travel perspective, incidents on the M62 near Wakefield can also affect rail and coach demand. Some travellers, frustrated by repeated motorway delays, may increasingly opt for trans-Pennine train services between Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool, particularly when booking in advance for leisure trips. At the same time, scheduled coach operators using the M62 as a backbone route have to adapt timetables, build in recovery time and communicate clearly with passengers when unforeseen disruption strikes.

Tourism bodies and local authorities in West Yorkshire have a keen interest in ensuring that visitors can reach attractions, towns and countryside reliably. That makes coordination between highways authorities, transport operators and tourism organisations essential, both in the immediate response to incidents and in longer-term planning to improve network resilience.

The Takeaway

The latest disruption on the M62 westbound near Wakefield, with its half-hour delays and miles of queuing traffic, is a pointed reminder of how finely balanced the UK’s strategic road network has become. A single serious collision on a crucial link in the chain can ripple across morning routines, supply chains and holiday plans within minutes, affecting tens of thousands of journeys.

For drivers, there are clear lessons. Allow extra time, especially at peak hours and in challenging weather. Pay close attention to live traffic updates and heed advice from National Highways and local authorities. Above all, drive defensively and patiently, recognising that aggressive manoeuvres and rushed decisions in heavy traffic only increase the risk of further incidents and even longer delays.

For travellers planning to cross the Pennines or explore Yorkshire and the North West, today’s events do not diminish the appeal of road trips along this vital corridor, but they do underline the importance of realistic scheduling and flexible plans. Building a buffer into itineraries, considering alternative modes such as rail where appropriate, and preparing for occasional disruption can make the difference between a stressful ordeal and a manageable inconvenience.

As investigations into the wakefield-area incident continue and normal traffic patterns resume, one message stands out. The M62 will remain a central artery in the UK’s transport system for years to come. Respecting its risks, planning ahead and driving with care are the best ways for every traveller to help keep this critical route moving safely.

FAQ

Q1: Where exactly did today’s M62 westbound delays occur near Wakefield?
The delays were centred on the westbound carriageway in the Leeds and Wakefield corridor, a busy section of the M62 that sits between key junctions linking the motorway with the wider West Yorkshire network.

Q2: How long were drivers delayed on the M62 westbound near Wakefield?
Many motorists reported delays of around thirty minutes, with some experiencing slightly shorter or longer waits depending on when they joined the back of the queue and how quickly lanes were reopened.

Q3: What caused the disruption on the M62 westbound this morning?
The disruption was triggered by a significant incident on the westbound carriageway, believed to involve a collision that required an emergency response, temporary lane closures and vehicle recovery operations.

Q4: Are there recommended alternative routes when the M62 near Wakefield is blocked?
When major incidents occur, traffic services typically suggest using parallel corridors such as the M1 or A1 for longer-distance travel, while local drivers may divert via A-roads and ring roads around Leeds and Wakefield, though these routes can also become congested.

Q5: How can I check live traffic conditions on the M62 before I travel?
Drivers can monitor live conditions via national traffic services, in-car navigation systems with real-time updates, local radio travel bulletins and official Highways Agency information feeds before setting off and while en route.

Q6: What time of day is the M62 near Wakefield usually busiest?
This stretch of the M62 is typically heaviest during weekday morning and evening peaks, roughly between 7 am and 9 am and again between 4 pm and 6 pm, although incidents and roadworks can cause disruption outside these times.

Q7: Is it safer to stay on the motorway or use local roads during an incident?
In most cases it is safer and more predictable to remain on the motorway and follow official advice unless directed otherwise, as local roads can quickly become overwhelmed and may be unfamiliar or less suitable for high volumes of through traffic.

Q8: What should I do if I am stuck in stationary traffic on the M62?
If traffic stops, drivers should stay in their vehicles, keep seat belts fastened, leave a safe gap to the car in front, watch for emergency services needing space to pass and follow instructions displayed on overhead signs or given by traffic officers.

Q9: How can I reduce my chances of being involved in a crash on the M62?
Maintaining safe distances, keeping to speed limits, avoiding distraction, allowing for weather and road conditions and planning journeys to avoid peak congestion all reduce the risk of being caught up in a collision.

Q10: Are further disruptions expected on the M62 near Wakefield in the coming days?
While today’s incident is expected to clear, upcoming overnight roadworks and ongoing maintenance in the wider Wakefield and Leeds area may cause intermittent lane closures and minor delays, so travellers should continue to check conditions before setting out.