Traffic is building on the M6 in the West Midlands after a lorry overturned and shed its load near Spaghetti Junction. The southbound carriageway remains closed between junction 6, near the A38M, and junction 5, at Castle Bromwich, as emergency crews work to recover the vehicle and clear the road.
Incident Details
The incident occurred at around 8am on Monday morning when a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) overturned, causing its trailer to become unstable and spill steel rods across the carriageway. National Highways confirmed that the load is spread over a significant area, requiring careful removal. There is currently no estimated time for reopening, and drivers are advised to expect lengthy delays.
Crews have been working overnight to safely recover the cab and clear the steel rods. The closure is necessary to ensure the safety of recovery teams and prevent further hazards. National Highways stated that the road will remain shut until the operation is complete, and no reopening time has been indicated.
Diversion Route
A clearly signed diversion route is in place for southbound traffic. Motorists are instructed to follow the hollow triangle diversion symbol on road signs. The route directs drivers as follows:
- At Salford Circus roundabout, take the exit onto the A5127 southbound.
- Continue along the A5127 until the junction with the B4137, Cuckoo Road.
- Turn onto the B4137 eastwards and proceed to its junction with the A47, Heartlands Parkway.
- Take the A47 eastbound (Heartlands Parkway) and continue to Fort Parkway.
- At the junction of the A47 and A452, take the A452 south (Chester Road) to rejoin the M6 at junction 5.
Drivers are warned to allow extra journey time as local roads are experiencing increased traffic, particularly around Salford Circus and along the A5127.
Traffic Impact and Advice
Queues have been building in the early hours, with slow-moving traffic on the exit slip at junction 6 approaching Salford Circus roundabout. The incident has also affected surrounding routes, including the A38M and local roads in the Castle Bromwich area. National Highways advises road users to consider alternative routes or delay travel if possible.
Spaghetti Junction, officially known as the Gravelly Hill Interchange, is one of the busiest motorway junctions in the UK, and any closure on the M6 through Birmingham can have widespread knock-on effects. This incident is likely to cause disruption for many hours. Motorists are urged to check live traffic updates before setting off and to obey all diversion signs.
No injuries have been reported from the incident. The overturned lorry and the steel rods are being removed with specialist equipment. National Highways thanked drivers for their patience and reminded them to plan ahead.
