The M6 is closed in both directions due to a police incident.
All traffic is being held on the road between J21 (Woolston) and J22 (Newton le Willows). North West Motorway Police tweeted to confirm the closure.
Also on Twitter, National Highways said: "The M6 is closed northbound between J21 & J21A M62 near Warrington due to a @NWmwaypolice incident. The southbound carriageway is also currently blocked. Please plan ahead and seek alternative routes where possible"
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End of updates for tonight
We have attempted to contact Cheshire Police for more information about the incident.
We will have further updates in the morning when our newsroom reopens.
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Vehicles being released from rear of queue
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Northbound to remain closed for some time
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'Severe delays' on the M6
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'Around 8 miles of traffic'
An ECHO reader caught up in the congestion said there was around 8 miles of traffic on the motorway.
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Traffic backed up to Junction 20
The National Highways traffic map shows congestion to junction 20.
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North West Motorway Police tweet
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Diversion route
Road users are advised to follow the solid black square diversion symbol on road signs:
- Exit the M6 northbound at J21
- At the roundabout take the second exit onto the B5210 northbound and follow for approx. 2 miles.
- The the large roundabout with the A574 (Birchwood Way) take the third exit onto the A574 eastbound and follow for approx. 2 miles.
- At the roundabout with the M62 J11, take the first exit and join the M62 westbound.
- Follow the M62 westbound and exit at J9.
- At the roundabout take the third exit onto the A49 northbound.
- At the next roundabout take the third exit and follow the A49/A572 north.
- Re-join the M6 at J22.
Dan Haygarth
'Expected to remain closed for a number of hours'
The National Highways website says: "The North West Motorway Police Group are leading the response to a serious incident which occurred at approx. 21:45 this evening. National Highways resources are in attendance assisting with traffic management.
"The southbound carriageway is also currently blocked while emergency services assess the scene.
"Due to the nature of the incident the carriageway is expected to remain closed for a number of hours.
"Preparations are being made to release traffic caught within the closure via the rear of the queue."
Dan Haygarth