M6 bridge set to be repaired almost three years after lorry struck bridge between Junction 32-33

The scene on the M6 where the lorry has struck a bridge Pic: North West Motorway Police — The scene on the M6 where the lorry had struck the bridge Pic: North West Motorway Police

Road work is expected to start on Saturday April 17 almost three years after a crash on Turner’s Farm cattle bridge over the M6 north of Preston.

A 50mph speed limit is expected to be placed past the roadworks and there will be occasional overnight closures of the southbound carriageway with a diversion via the A6.

Police had previously closed the M6 between junctions 32 and 33 for almost a day due to the extent of the damage caused back in 2018. After the intense crash occurred when a HGV driver lost control around 7am on Thursday (26 July) and struck the bridge.

Picture released by police of the lorry on the M6 back in 2018.

Emergency provisional props had been put in place to keep the bridge standing after the lorry was removed from where it had been ‘embedded’ in the side of the overpass.

Temporary supports are set to be replaced by a permanent column almost three years on by Highway England. The delay a consequence of commissioning a new column for the bridge but also scheduling the repairs to fit alongside other roadworks being carried out amongst M6.

The work will be constructed in the verge alongside the southbound carriageway and will involve new foundations to be built before a replacement column can be installed. It is expected to take up to 14 weeks after beginning next month.

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