Severe Delays After Multi-Vehicle Crash on M6 Sparks Gridlock and Frustration
If you're heading south from Preston or anywhere near the M6 today, you’ve probably already felt the pain. Let me walk you through what’s been a pretty chaotic situation on one of the region’s busiest motorways.
It all started earlier this afternoon, July 11, when a crash involving three vans and a car brought traffic to a grinding halt on the northbound M6 , between Junction 26 (Skelmersdale/Orrell) and Junction 27 (Standish). Emergency services were quickly on the scene, but one lane remained closed for several hours, leading to severe congestion and lengthy delays.
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At one point, National Highways reported delays of over 45 minutes northbound, with traffic stretching back nearly seven miles , even as far as Junction 24 in Ashton-in-Makerfield. By 6pm, while all lanes were finally reopened, delays still hovered around 40 minutes , with slow-moving traffic still working its way through approximately four miles of backup .
But the chaos didn’t end there. The crash had a knock-on effect on the southbound carriageway too. Despite no direct obstruction, traffic was slow due to onlookers "rubbernecking"—drivers slowing down to view the scene, causing unnecessary delays on the opposite side.
And if you were hoping to avoid the M6 and reroute through the M65 or towards Walton Summit, that wasn’t much better. Minor delays were reported in those areas as well, adding to the travel headaches across Lancashire and South Ribble.
Traffic England initially estimated delays of around 20 minutes southbound near Junction 29 (Bamber Bridge) , but as more drivers tried to divert, those numbers quickly climbed. The sheer volume of vehicles and the restricted lane access compounded the situation into a frustrating mess for commuters and transporters alike.
What’s striking is how just a single incident—albeit involving multiple vehicles—can trigger such widespread disruption across the motorway network. And this isn’t just about being late to dinner. People were stuck for hours, deliveries delayed, and businesses impacted.
So, if you’re reading this before heading out: double-check your route . Use live traffic updates and avoid the M6 near Wigan and Standish if possible. And if you’re already stuck in it? Hang in there. The worst seems to be easing now, but residual delays might persist through the evening rush.
Let this be a reminder of how fragile our motorway infrastructure can be when even one stretch goes down. Stay safe out there, and here’s hoping for a smoother ride tomorrow.
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