M6 shut earlier after five-vehicle crash shut road for hours

The northbound carriageway was shut at junction 31 near Ribbleton after a collision involving three cars and two vans shortly before midday on Thursday, July 30.

The incident, described by police as involving “minor injuries,” caused traffic to back up for several miles, extending as far south as junction 29 at Lostock Hall and also affecting the M61 at junction 9 at Clayton Brook.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary said: “At 11.52am today (Thursday, July 30) we were called to reports of a minor injury collision on the M6 northbound, at Junction 31, Samlesbury, involving three cars and two vans.

“Officers are on scene, and the motorway is currently closed northbound across all three lanes.

“If you witnessed this incident or have any footage, please call 101 quoting log 521 of July 30.”

The closure led to severe delays, with traffic monitoring service Inrix at one point reporting queuing traffic and delays of more than an hour between Charnock Richard Services and junction 31.

At 1.54pm, Inrix issued the following update: “Severe delays of 62 minutes and delays increasing on M6 Northbound between M6 (Charnock Richard Services) and J31 A59 Preston New Road (Samlesbury).”

National Highways advised drivers to expect delays of up to 45 minutes on the approach to the incident.

Long queues also formed on surrounding routes, including Preston New Road at Samlesbury, as traffic sought alternative routes around the closure.

By 1.57pm, police confirmed the road had reopened, though long queues and residual delays continued for some time after.

The final queues cleared by mid-afternoon and normal traffic flow was restored.