Commuters faced travel chaos on Thursday morning as a serious collision forced the closure of multiple lanes on the M6 motorway in the Midlands. The incident occurred between junction 12 for Gailey and junction 13 for Stafford, causing significant disruption during the busy rush hour period.
Emergency services, including police, ambulance and fire crews, rushed to the scene following reports of a serious multi-vehicle collision. National Highways confirmed the closure of three lanes, leaving only one lane operational to allow emergency access to the incident.
Major Delays During Rush Hour
The timing of the incident couldn't have been worse for morning commuters, with traffic building rapidly as thousands of motorists began their journeys. Traffic cameras showed queues stretching back several miles in both directions as rubbernecking added to the congestion problems.
Drivers reported being stuck in stationary traffic for over an hour, with many taking to social media to warn others to avoid the area. One frustrated motorist tweeted: 'Absolute gridlock on M6 northbound. Been stationary for 45 minutes already - avoid if you can!'
Emergency Response
West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed they had multiple resources at the scene, including ambulances and paramedic officers. A spokesperson stated: 'We were called to reports of a multi-vehicle collision on the M6 between junctions 12 and 13. We have several crews in attendance assessing and treating patients.'
Staffordshire Police also attended the incident and were managing traffic flow around the collision scene. Motorists were being diverted via local routes, though these were becoming increasingly congested as traffic sought alternative pathways.
Travel Advice
National Highways issued an alert warning drivers to expect long delays and consider alternative routes if travelling through the Midlands. They advised:
- Allow extra journey time if travelling in the region
- Consider using alternative routes where possible
- Check traffic conditions before setting out
- Have drinking water and essentials if making essential journeys
The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly Britain's busiest motorway can grind to a halt following serious collisions, particularly during peak travel times.
