The M6 could be closed for most of Sunday after a milk tanker overturned, spilling thousands of litres across the carriageway.
Huge queues are being reported on the motorway after the incident, which has seen the M6 closed in both directions as emergency crews deal with the aftermath of the spillage.
Chief Inspector Patrick Worden, of Lancashire Police, said: “At this time we expect the motorway to be closed for some if not most of the day. The tanker needs to be recovered and due to the large scale milk and diesel spillage, the motorway surface treated appropriately.
“We expect this to cause significant delays and I would advise motorists to make plans for alternate routes. We will update you with more information as and when appropriate.”
A man and woman from the tanker were taken to hospital after the incident at around 7am between junctions 31 and 32, Lancashire Police said.
We'll have updates and advice on diversions and planned reopening as the recovery operation gets under way
Key Events
Steve Graves
Tanker 'righted' but closure remains
National Highways North West have tweeted that the M6 remains closed in both directions, between junctions 31 and 33. They say there are also severe delays on the M55 eastbound and M61 northbound.
The tanker has been righted and cleanup work on the M6 northbound is continuing
Steve Graves
Road remains closed
Things remain much as they were earlier, with recovery under way on the M6 but both carriageways remaining closed. Diversions are in place but traffic has been building in both directions either side of the crash.
KEY EVENT
Delays grow as motorway remains shut
National Highways North West have just tweeted the below update:
The #M6 between J31 and J33 #Preston remains CLOSED in both directions for recovery and clear up works, following a milk tanker which overturned and caused a milk spillage. There are currently delays of 60 mins in both directions on approach to the closures.
Steve Graves
Latest from fire service
A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said this morning:
Four fire engines from Preston, Bamber Bridge and Chorley and the USAR team from South Shore, were mobilised to a road traffic collision on the M6 southbound between junctions 31A and 31.
On arrival, crews found a large goods vehicle that had overturned and approximately 20,000 litres of milk had spilt onto the motorway.
Two casualties have been treated by North West Ambulance Service and conveyed to hospital. The fire service are at the incident to ensure the scene is safe and are currently using two hose reels and an environmental pack.
Crews remain on scene.
Steve Graves
Latest on delays
National Highways say:
There are currently delays of 30 mins southbound and 45 mins northbound on approach to the closure.
KEY EVENT
Diversion routes advice
Lancashire Police shared the following from Highways England:
The M6 in Lancashire is closed in both directions between J31 and J33 northbound and J31 and J32 southbound, near Lancaster due to Heavy Goods Vehicle transporting milk overturning, and coming to rest on the central reservation barrier.
This has caused a milk spillage across both sides of the carriageway.
The M6 J3a and J31 entry slips and the link road from the M55 eastbound to M6 J32 southbound are also closed.
Emergency services are in attendance. National Highways Traffic Officers are on scene to provide assistance with traffic management.
Diversion Routes
'Road users are advised to follow the solid square diversion symbol on road signs if heading southbound'.
Exit the M6 J32, Blackpool onto M55.
Exit the M55 J1, Broughton, take the first roundabout exit A6 Preston.
At the A6/A6085 junction turn left (M6 south)
Follow the A5085 to the A59 roundabout.
Take the first exit and follow the A59 to M61 J31, Tickle Trout.
At the roundabout take the second exit. M6 south, Birmingham.
'Road users are advised to follow the solid triangle diversion symbol on road signs if heading northbound'.
Exit the M6 J31, Tickle Trout.
Take the first roundabout exit, Preston A59.
At the next roundabout take the second exit, Blackpool (A583).
At the A6 junction turn right (M6) (M55).
Follow the A6 north to M55 J1 Broughton.
'Road users are then advised to follow the hollow circle diversion symbol on road signs if heading northbound'.
Exit the M55 J1 (Broughton) and take the first exit at the roundabout A6 Garstang
Follow the A6 northbound through Broughton, Barton, Bilsborrow and Garstang to M6 J33 (Lancaster South) .
Re-join the M6 northbound
If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.
Further information is available from National Highways by visiting our www.trafficengland.com website and travel apps, or via our regional twitter feed. Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 5000.
Steve Graves
Official details
A police spokesperson said: "Around 7am this morning (Sunday, July 2) a milk tanker travelling northbound collided with the central reservation, entering the southbound carriageway before overturning on to its side across the carriageway
"A large quantity of milk and diesel has spilled onto the carriageway causing it to be closed.
"A man and woman, the driver and passenger, have been taken to hospital for treatment.
"Due to the nature of the spillage, the motorway is expected to be closed for some time."
Steve Graves
What we know so far
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of this M6 closure. Two people are in hospital and the motorway is closed between junctions 31 and 32 after 20,000 litres of milk spilled across the road.
Ch Insp Patrick Worden, of Lancashire Police, said: “At this time we expect the motorway to be closed for some if not most of the day.
“The tanker needs to be recovered and due to the large scale milk and diesel spillage, the motorway surface treated appropriately.
“We expect this to cause significant delays and I would advise motorists to make plans for alternate routes.