Motorists travelling southbound on the M6 faced severe disruption lasting up to four hours on Sunday, July 26, following a collision that closed multiple lanes between Junction 13 (Stafford South) and Junction 12 (Cannock). Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 7:45 am, with the incident involving a black-coloured Ford.
Initial Response and Lane Closures
All lanes on the southbound carriageway were initially closed, bringing traffic to a complete standstill. However, as emergency and recovery crews arrived, two lanes were opened to ease congestion. The remaining two-lane closure persisted until just after midday, causing significant tailbacks for motorists.
Images captured from overhead gantries showed the Ford positioned facing the flow of traffic within a coned-off area. A substance was visible on the tarmac, though its nature was not immediately clear. Recovery operations involved a lorry equipped with a hydraulic arm, later joined by a second vehicle.
Impact and Residual Delays
The exact number of vehicles involved in the collision remains unconfirmed, and there has been no official statement regarding injuries. After the lane closures were lifted at around 12:00 pm, drivers continued to experience residual delays as traffic flow normalised.
The M6 is one of the busiest motorways in the UK, and even minor incidents can cause widespread disruption. This stretch near Cannock is particularly prone to congestion during peak hours.
Advice for Motorists
Authorities have advised southbound drivers to check live traffic updates before setting out and to allow extra time for journeys. No further details have been released about the cause of the collision, and investigations are likely ongoing.
