Drivers face long delays into Birmingham after fatal accident closes M6

UPDATE: Highways England have now said the motorway is unlikely to be re-opened until around 1pm.

Motorists in Birmingham faced massive congestion and delays to their journeys approaching 90 minutes today after the M6 was closed off following a fatal accident in the early hours.

The motorway was closed northbound between J5 at Castle Bromwich and Spaghetti Junction (J6) following a collision between a car and a lorry.

The accident happened around 2am and caused massive problems as two lanes were also closed southbound. The situation was compounded because of the ongoing closure of J5 due to long-term roadworks.

The Central Motorway Police Group is still in attendance at the scene and accident investigation officers were also mounting their inquiries as emergency services attempted to clear the scene.

Highways England put up diversions but commuter traffic heading into the city centre was gridlocked.

Diversions remain in place and road users were advised to follow the ‘Hollow Circle’ diversion symbol leaving the M6 at J5 and take the exit to A452 (north). At the junction with the A47 vehicles should follow the A47 westbound, continue to B4137. Then continue on the B4137 (west) to the junction with the A5127 (Lichfield Road). After that, remain on the A5127 to ‘Salford’s Circus’ and take the exit for M6 North.
 
Road users travelling from further afield to the North West or South were advised to use M5/M42 around Birmingham.