Traffic Alert: Major disruption to M6 after police incident

9.45am Update: Police have confirmed that the M6 at Junction 6 (Spaghetti) has now been reopened southbound, while the northbound blockage is in the process of being removed.

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9am Update: Long delays are still being forecast, with the M6 now closed northbound between Junction 4  (Coventry) and 6 (Spaghetti).

Queues southbound are now stretching back to Junction 9 at Wednesbury.

Current estimates are of delays between one-and-a-half to two-hours and Highways England has said the situation may not revert to normal until around midday.

The delay is having a knock-on effect for surrounding routes, with the M42 and M5 also busy on their connections with the M6.

There are also reports of an accident closing part of the M5 southbound between Junction 3 (Halesowen) and 4 (Bromsgrove).

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Motorists travelling into Birmingham have been warned of long delays after police closed the M6 at Spaghetti Junction, the main route into the city centre.

Delays of up to 90 minutes are already being forecast as rush-hour traffic builds.

The cause of the disruption is given as a police incident.

Highways England said the road was blocked northbound between Junctions 5 (Castle Bromwich) and 6 (Spaghetti), while queues were building on the southbound approach as well.

Drivers have been advised to plan ahead and expect delays, although the M6 Toll remains an option.