VAN AND LORRY CRASH CLOSES M6 NORTHBOUND IN MERSEYSIDE

A crash involving a van and a lorry closed the M6 northbound in Merseyside overnight, National Highways and Merseyside Police said. Police said they received a report of the collision between junctions 23 and 24 at about 9.55pm on Sunday, 18 October. National Highways said one vehicle caught fire and both carriageways initially closed. The agency first reported the closure at about 10.20pm. It said the southbound carriageway reopened at about 7.30am on Monday, while the northbound carriageway remained closed.

The affected stretch runs from junction 23, identified as Haydock and Newton-le-Willows, to junction 24 at Ashton-in-Makerfield. Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and National Highways traffic officers attended the scene. North West Motorway Police Group also attended. National Highways said the fire damaged the road surface and that crews needed to resurface it. The agency said police conducted a collision investigation throughout the night while both carriageways were closed.

National Highways said recovery agents would remove the vehicles after police completed their investigation. It said crews would then assess the carriageway surface for damage. A National Highways spokesperson said: “There is currently no estimated time of when the road will re-open.” The agency expected the investigation to continue for several more hours. Merseyside Police advised motorists to avoid the route while emergency services worked at the scene.