Traffic on one of the United Kingdom’s busiest motorways has come to a standstill after a serious overnight collision forced the complete closure of a key stretch of the M6 in Lancashire. The incident, which occurred late on Sunday 15 February and continued to impact the Monday morning commute on 16 February, has triggered major delays for commuters, freight operators and long-distance travelers, with authorities warning that disruption is likely to last well into the afternoon.
Serious Overnight Collision Shuts Both Directions of the M6
The collision happened between Junction 32, which links to the M55 for Blackpool, and Junction 33 for Galgate, on the northern flank of Preston. Initial reports from the scene indicate that at least two cars and a lorry were involved in the crash, which unfolded late on Sunday evening and quickly escalated into a full motorway closure as debris and damaged vehicles blocked the carriageways.
Emergency services, including Lancashire Constabulary, fire crews and paramedics, were dispatched to the scene shortly before midnight. National Highways traffic officers also attended, implementing an immediate closure in both directions to create a safe working area for rescue and investigation teams. The scale of the response and the need for detailed collision investigation work meant that the road remained sealed off through the night.
By the early hours of Monday, the impact on traffic flows was already apparent. Long queues built up in both directions as drivers encountered unexpectedly stationary traffic, with some motorists trapped on the network for extended periods before being turned around or filtered off via emergency access points.
Authorities have not yet released full details of injuries arising from the crash, but the description of the incident as a “serious collision” underlines its severity. Police collision investigators remained at the scene on Monday morning, conducting forensic examinations of the carriageway and vehicles involved.
National Highways Confirms Prolonged Closure and Investigation
National Highways issued overnight and early-morning alerts confirming that the M6 would remain fully closed between Junctions 32 and 33 while police led the recovery and investigation efforts. The agency warned that the closure was expected to be “protracted” and that motorists should plan for severe disruption during the morning rush hour and beyond.
By mid-morning, updates from traffic control suggested that the southbound side of the motorway could reopen sooner, once vehicle recovery and safety checks were completed. However, the northbound carriageway, where much of the damage and investigation work is focused, is expected to stay closed until at least late morning or early afternoon on Monday.
Specialist collision investigation officers are examining skid marks, vehicle positions and damage patterns to establish how the incident unfolded. This type of work is highly detailed and can keep a motorway closed for many hours, particularly when heavy goods vehicles are involved, due to the time needed for safe lifting and recovery.
National Highways has emphasized that every effort is being made to reopen lanes as soon as it is safe to do so, but stressed that the integrity of the investigation and safety for emergency crews and motorists must take precedence over speed.
Rush-Hour Gridlock and Severe Delays Across Lancashire
The timing of the closure, rolling straight from an overnight incident into the peak of the Monday commute, has magnified the impact on travel. By the start of rush hour, lengthy tailbacks had formed in both directions of the M6 approaching the closure points, with some queues stretching for several miles.
Motorists reported stop-start conditions and prolonged standstills as traffic was gradually filtered off the motorway via diversion routes. Journey times for early-morning commuters were significantly extended, with some drivers describing delays of an hour or more compared to typical travel times on the corridor.
The knock-on effect has spilled over onto surrounding roads as drivers seek alternative routes. The A6, which runs broadly parallel to the affected stretch of the M6, has been particularly hard hit, with heavy congestion reported through communities north of Preston. Local roads in and around Lancaster, Galgate and Garstang have also experienced heavier-than-usual traffic as displaced motorway users attempt to re-route.
Public transport operators and logistics firms have warned of disrupted schedules and potential missed connections as coaches, delivery vehicles and long-distance buses struggle to navigate around the closure. Travelers heading towards Scotland, the Lake District and northern Lancashire have been advised to build in substantial additional time or consider alternative modes where possible.
Diversions in Place as Traffic Officers Manage the Fallout
To keep vehicles moving, National Highways has implemented signed diversion routes using established motorway symbol systems. Northbound traffic is being directed to follow a hollow circle diversion, while southbound travelers are guided by a hollow diamond. Eastbound traffic from the M55 has also been picked up within the diversion framework to prevent further build-up at Junction 32.
These diversion routes typically use combinations of the A6 and other principal A roads to funnel drivers around the closure, before rejoining the M6 beyond the incident site. However, the capacity of these alternative routes is far lower than that of the motorway, which naturally leads to bottlenecks once volumes rise beyond the weekday morning baseline.
National Highways traffic officers are stationed at key junctions to assist with traffic management, help redirect confused drivers and support police in maintaining the closure cordons. Portable signs and electronic variable-message displays on approach roads are being used to provide real-time updates and urge drivers to leave the motorway well in advance of the affected section.
Motorists already within the congestion have been advised to stay with their vehicles, keep fuel levels in mind if stuck in long queues and heed any instructions from road workers. Drivers are also being reminded to avoid using hard shoulders or emergency access points unless specifically directed to do so by officials.
Warnings for Long-Distance Drivers and Freight Operators
The M6 is a primary north-south artery linking the Midlands, North West England and Scotland, carrying a high proportion of long-distance and freight traffic. Monday’s closure has raised immediate concerns for haulage companies, just-in-time supply chains and time-critical deliveries relying on the route between the Midlands, Manchester, Preston, Lancaster and beyond.
Logistics operators have been urged to review routing plans and, where practical, consider alternative strategic corridors, such as the M1 and A1(M), to bypass the worst of the disruption. However, such diversions can add significant mileage and cost, and may not be viable for all operations, particularly those with fixed windows for loading and unloading.
National Highways and regional traffic centres are recommending that drivers check live traffic and travel information before setting out, and that those yet to depart delay journeys if route flexibility is limited. For southbound traffic heading towards the Midlands and beyond, operators are being advised to consider joining the M6 further south or using alternate start points where possible.
Coach operators serving intercity routes along the M6 corridor are also facing cascading delays as vehicles arrive late at hubs and depots, potentially impacting onward connections. Passengers are being advised to monitor service updates and be prepared for revised timetables throughout Monday.
Local Communities Brace for Day of Disruption
For residents and businesses in Lancashire communities near the affected stretch, the closure has quickly translated into heavier traffic on local streets. Commuter routes normally used by local motorists have absorbed a surge of diverted vehicles, leading to extended queues at junctions, slower bus journeys and pressure on school-run routes.
Businesses reliant on passing trade from the motorway, including service areas and roadside hospitality, are experiencing an unusual disruption pattern. While some motorway services may see reduced custom due to drivers diverting away earlier, petrol stations and cafes on diversion routes can experience sudden spikes in demand, placing pressure on staff and stock levels.
Local authorities are liaising with police and National Highways to manage congestion through sensitive areas, particularly where diversions run close to schools, residential streets and town centres. Traffic signal timings may be adjusted in some locations to help manage peak flows, although such interventions provide only limited relief when volumes remain far above normal levels.
Residents are being encouraged, where possible, to avoid non-essential car journeys during the busiest periods on Monday and to consider walking, cycling or public transport for local trips while motorway traffic is displaced onto nearby roads.
Rising Safety Concerns on One of Britain’s Busiest Motorways
The latest crash is likely to reignite debate around safety on the M6, a motorway that carries hundreds of thousands of vehicles daily and has been the site of numerous serious incidents over the years. Weather conditions overnight were reportedly unsettled, with periods of rain and reduced visibility that can exacerbate risks, particularly when combined with high traffic volumes and heavy goods vehicles.
Road safety campaigners have previously highlighted the vulnerability of motorists in complex junction areas and stretches where multiple slip roads, gradients or bends can catch out inattentive drivers. The section between Junctions 32 and 33, where the M6 interfaces with the M55 and routes towards Lancaster and the Fylde Coast, is a particularly busy interchange zone, frequently subject to congestion and sudden changes in speed.
While the precise cause of the latest collision has yet to be established, police are expected to examine factors such as vehicle speed, road surface conditions, driver fatigue, visibility and possible mechanical issues. Witness statements and dashcam footage will form part of the evidence base used to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Any findings could feed into future safety recommendations for the corridor, including potential additional signage, speed management measures or minor engineering works aimed at reducing collision risk. However, such changes typically follow only after detailed reports are completed, often months after the incident itself.
Travel Advice: What Motorists Should Do Today
With the M6 still closed between Junctions 32 and 33 on Monday morning and a northbound reopening not expected until later in the day, travelers are being given clear guidance to minimize disruption and safety risks. Drivers are urged to check real-time traffic updates before departure, using radio bulletins, official traffic apps or in-vehicle information systems to verify whether the closure is still in place and how long delays are expected to last.
Motorists whose journeys are not time-critical are being advised to postpone travel or choose entirely different routes, rather than attempting to “thread the needle” around the closure at the last moment. Those who must travel are encouraged to leave significantly earlier than usual, carry water and basic supplies in case of extended delays, and keep fuel tanks topped up to avoid running low while stuck in congestion.
Drivers already approaching the affected area are asked to heed roadside electronic signs and diversion symbols, exiting the motorway at the earliest opportunity to join designated alternative routes rather than attempting to press on to the closure point. Patience, lane discipline and avoiding last-minute lane changes are being emphasized by road safety officials to prevent further incidents in the heavy traffic.
For the many travelers and freight operators who depend on the M6, Monday’s shutdown is a stark reminder of how quickly a single serious collision can ripple through the national network, bringing one of Britain’s vital transport arteries to a grinding halt and leaving thousands of journeys upended in its wake.