Major Disruption on M6 Northbound Near Spaghetti Junction
Commuters faced significant delays on the M6 motorway this morning after a lorry broke down, causing lane closures and extensive congestion. The incident occurred on the northbound carriageway between junction six, known as Spaghetti Junction, and junction seven at Great Barr.
Lane Closures and Traffic Impact
Three out of four lanes were closed due to the stranded lorry, leading to delays of at least 30 minutes for drivers. Congestion built up for approximately three miles on approach, severely affecting rush hour traffic. West Midlands Roads reported the incident on social media platform X just before 8 am on Thursday, February 26, describing it as a "stranded lorry" with live lanes closed.
National Highways West Midlands confirmed that recovery officers and traffic officers were en route to the scene. A spokesperson stated, "Lanes 1, 2, and 3 (of 4) are closed on the M6 northbound between J6 (A38M) and J7 (Great Barr) due to a broken down lorry. There are three miles of congestion on approach causing at least 30-minute delays above normal travel time."
Traffic Monitoring Updates
Traffic monitoring site Inrix provided further details, indicating that two lanes were closed and queueing traffic resulted from the broken-down lorry. The affected section spans from J6 A38 Tyburn Road (Spaghetti Junction) to J7 A34 Birmingham Road (Great Barr), specifically in lanes one and two of three. Motorists were advised to expect prolonged disruptions during the morning commute.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining smooth traffic flow on key motorways like the M6, especially during peak hours. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as recovery efforts progress.
