Lorry crash closes M6 Northbound in Staffordshire
The HGV hit the central barrier between junctions 14 and 15 last night
Drivers planning on using the northbound M6 in Staffordshire are advised to allow extra time to complete their journeys as a section of the carriageway between junctions 14 (Stafford) and 15 (Stoke on Trent) is expected to remain closed until late morning.
This follows a collision shortly after 10pm last night (Fri 8 Aug) when a HGV struck the central barrier on the northbound carriageway before overturning and spilling a large amount of diesel onto the road.
The complex recovery of the vehicle is now complete and work is currently taking place to 'plane' (remove the top layer of the tarmac) on lanes 3 and 4 of the northbound carriageway so the road can be safely reopened later this morning but with a temporary reduced speed limit of 40mph.
A full resurfacing operation across all four lanes of the northbound carriageway can then take place overnight tonight when traffic is at its lightest.
Lane 4 of the southbound carriageway will remain closed throughout today as that was also impacted by the diesel spill.
Dale Hipkiss, National Highways Duty Manager, said:
“Our aim is to get the northbound M6 reopen to traffic as soon as it safe to do so.
“Removing the top layer of the road surface that has been significantly damaged by the diesel spill is the most effective way to do that and get traffic moving past that section at reduced speed.
“We can then carryout a full repair overnight when traffic is lighter causing less disruption to road users."