THERE are now 120 minutes of delays on the M6 northbound and train service disruption following a serious collision earlier this morning, Tuesday.

A HGV crashed into a railway bridge between junction 17 for Sandbach and junction 18 for Middlewich.

It has been confirmed that the HGV driver sadly died at the scene.

Police accident investigation is currently on going and road users are advised to follow the solid diamond diversion route, however there is a low railway bridge on this route:

  • Leave the M6 at junction 17 and turn right onto A534 eastbound (Congleton Road).
  • At the A534/A50 junction, turn left onto the A50 northbound (Newcastle Road). Please note there is a low railway bridge 16'0'' (4.3m) on this route near Holmes Chapel, where a small separate diversion is in place.
  • At A50/A54 junction, turn left on to the A54 westbound (Middlewich road).
  • At the A54/M6 junction 18 roundabout, take the third exit to re-join the M6 northbound.

This incident is causing delays of more than120 minutes above the normal travel time and 8.2 miles of congestion on approach to the northbound closure.

The diversion route is also very heavily congested.

The southbound carriageway has now been released after being held and there are 60 minutes of residual delays southbound and 7.3 miles of congestion.

Northern Railway services between Holmes Chapel and Crewe are also cancelled.

A statement reads: "Train services running through these stations will be cancelled or revised.

"Sandbach and Crewe will not be served.

"Disruption is expected until approximately 3pm."

Visit northernrailway.co.uk/disruption/268 for more service information.