M6 closed in Staffordshire for emergency repairs

5pm Update

The northbound carriageway has now re-opened and Highways England has said it expects the southbound section to re-open later this evening.

Delays in the area persist

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9am Update

Highways England has said the closure will likely remain in force until this afternoon so delays are likely to continue for some time.

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The M6 in Staffordshire is closed in both directions to allow emergency repairs to a bridge. Very long delays are being reported even though rush-hour has yet to reach its peak.

The section closed is between Junctions 14 (Stafford North) and 15 (Stoke-on-Trent). The precaution has been taken to allow repairs to the bridge carrying the A51.

Motorists travelling north have been advised to follow diversions. This will take traffic via the A34 (northbound) at J15. They will continue along the A34 to the junction with the A500 at Hanford and then take the exit on to the A500 (westbound) and continue to re-join the M6 at J15.

The southbound diversion is the opposite of the above (A500 eastbound, A34 southbound) and is also marked with a hollow triangle symbol on local road signs.

There are long delays in both directions approaching the junctions and the congestion is affecting feeder roads. Drivers have been warned that the repairs are likely to take several hours and the situation is not expected to be clear until at least 10am.

In the meantime, people have been advised to avoid the area if possible or to allow extra time for their journeys.