Travel Alert: Serious accident shuts M6 and Birmingham rail services cancelled

THE M6 in Warwickshire is closed completely southbound between J2 (Coventry/Leicester) and J1 (Rugby), due to a serious collision between a lorry and a van.

Queues are already building back to J3 and Highways England has warned the situation will not return to normal until around lunchtime.

Motorists have been advised to follow the Hollow Triangle diversion symbol leaving the M6 at J2 to the M69 Northbound (J1), then take the A5 (Eastbound) and continue to A426 (southbound) to re-join the M6 at J1.

Drivers travelling from further north have been advised to use the M5/M42 option as an alternative.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area if possible and to allow extra time for their journeys.

Also, rail commuters using Chiltern Railways between Birmingham and Marylebone have been warned about a number of train cancellations this morning due to a serious cable fire between Neasden and West Hampstead.

Passengers travelling from the West Midlands have been advised to use alternative services where possible. Tickets are being accepted on the West Coast Main Line into London Euston on Virgin Trains and London Midland and into London Paddington with GWR. Ticket acceptance is also in place with CrossCountry trains and GWR.

Where no alternative route is available commuters have been advised to delay their journey or avoid travelling today if possible.