Preston’s intense gridlock as lorry crashes through M6 central reservation

Gridlocked traffic on the M6 northbound Pic: National Highways North West

Preston is expected to remain gridlocked until well into Monday evening after a lorry driver crashed through the central reservation of the M6.

There are delays on the M6 northbound from Junction 29 due to the motorway being closed from the Tickled Trout (Junction 31) up to Junction 32 for Broughton.

One lane is also closed on the M6 southbound on the same stretch with queues back to Junction 33 as recovery work continues. There are delays of more than hour in both directions on the M6.

Tuesday latest: M6 still closed at junction 32 and morning traffic already starting to build

The M55 is also heavily congested eastbound from Junction 2 to where it meets the M6. The M61 northbound is also seeing delays back to Junction 8 with Chorley.

The crash took place around 1pm on Monday (10 March) and is causing widespread disruption to the city’s road network as drivers try to find alternative routes.

Preston Police say the lorry driver has been receiving treatment at the scene.

Recovery work at the scene on the M6 Pic: National Highways North West

London Road, the A6, all the way through to Garstang Road is Fulwood is showing severe congestion – along with Brockholes Brow, Eastway and Blackpool Road as drivers come off the M6 at Junction 31.

And routes through Penwortham and Strand Road are also heavily congested.

The current traffic situation in and around Preston as of 4.30pm on Monday Pic: Google

National Highways North West is currently listing a re-opening time for the M6 of between 8pm to 9pm on Monday evening.

The gridlock is the latest in a number of recent motorway closures on the stretch of the M6 at Preston running between Junction 31 and Junction 33.

Many drivers point to the need for a new river crossing to ease congestion, but Lancashire County Council has indicated the new bridge would remain an ‘ambition’ but there is no timetable or funding at this stage in a recent interview with Blog Preston given by a senior county council cabinet member.

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