Commuters travelling on the M6 faced hours of delays this morning after part of the motorway was closed due to an ‘unsafe’ bridge.
Police closed the carriageway at junction 17 near Sandbach services shortly before 6am.
The bridge, along Manor Rd and Reynolds Lane, which runs over the M6 near Sandbach services, was deemed unsafe after a piece of material fell from the bridge and hit a car.
The North West Motorway Police tweeted at 5.46am this morning: “Full closure M6 SB J17 all traffic will be coming off at J17. This is due to a an unsafe bridge.”
Long delays #M6 sb btwn J19 and J18 due to an incident btwn J17-J16. Allow extra time if going to @The_RHS Tatton Park
— Highways Agency (@HAtraffic_nwest) July 24, 2014
Several hours later they tweeted: “J17/16hrs M6 SB, still closed and will be for some time. Please try to avoid this location is possible. Check the HA site for diversions.”
The Highways Agency also tweeted: “Long delays #M6 sb after #Knutsford Services to J17 due to an incident btwn J17-J16. Allow extra time if going to @The_RHS Tatton Park”.
Due to the volume of traffic being diverted, junction 18 M6 southbound was also closed off.
J17/16 M6SB – The Bridge Inspector is on scene and will advise when it is safe to pass.
— NW Motorway Police (@NWmwaypolice) July 24, 2014
At around 8.30am The North West Motorway Police confirmed the Bridge Inspector was on scene and will advise when it is safe to pass.
Shorthly after they they tweeted: “M6SB J17/16, Bridge is in the process of being reopened. Despite the reopen delays are to be expected in the area.”
Confirmed that the Bridge is now fully open M6SB.
— NW Motorway Police (@NWmwaypolice) July 24, 2014
The North West Motorway Police have now confirmed the M6 Southbound is fully open.
Commuters travelling along the M56 between Junction 7 and Junction 6 have also been told to expect long delays after an accident involving three vehicles.
1 lane only now closed on the #M56 eb btwn J7 and J6 due to a 3 car accident. Long delays due to this. Allow extra time for your journey
— Highways Agency (@HAtraffic_nwest) July 24, 2014
Image courtesy of John C Bullas BSc MSc PhD, with thanks.
