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Drivers were warned to 'expect long delays' this morning as the M6 in Staffordshire closed southbound between J13 and J12 due to a serious collision involving a heavy goods vehicle and a van
A large stretch of the M6 closed following a "serious collision" this morning as drivers were warned it could be shut for "several hours".
Police warned those travelling on and around the affected route to "expect long delays" as the southbound lane between J13 (Stafford) and J12 (Cannock) closed at the height of rush hour due to a crash involving a heavy goods vehicle and a van.
A National Highways spokesperson said: "West Midlands Ambulance Service have been in attendance. National Highways has resources deployed to assist with traffic management. Staffordshire Police lead the response to the ongoing incident and remain on scene to carry out a police investigation. The carriageway is expected to remain closed for several further hours."
13:05 - Lane cleared
The southbound lane on the M60 between J13 in Stafford and J12 in Cannock has now cleared.
11:28 - M6 re-opens - but two-hour long delays continue
The M6 southbound between J13 in Stafford and J12 in Cannock has now re-opned following an earlier serious collision.
Lanes 1 and 2 of (4) remain closed to complete emergency barrier and clean-up work at the scene. Delays of up to 2 hours remain on the approach at this time.
11:18 - Specialist crews clearing debris at the scene
Specialist crews are clearing debris at the scene and lanes will re-open when collision investigation teamsconsider it safe to do so.
National Highways traffic maps suggest the incident is not expected to clear until later this afternoon.
10:31 - Motorway expected to re-open before midday
The M6 is set to re-open before noon, according to National Highways.
It said: "The carriageway is expected to be reopened before midday, with lanes remaining closed to complete the recovery of the vehicles involved and to complete emergency barrier repairs on the near side of the carriageway following the collision."
08:50 - Collision sparks two-hour long delays
Drivers are now facing two-hour long delays on the approach with queues on the A449 diversion.
Traffic police are still on scene and the southbound lane remains closed between junctions 12 and 13.
08:46 - Lane remains closed as collision investigation continues
The M6 remains closed southbound between J13 in Stafford and J12 in Cannock due to a serious collision.
Traffic cops remain on scene and are conducting collision investigation. There are 60 minute delays on the approach with delays building on the A449 diversion.
08:15 - Drivers facing gridlock traffic
There is currently gridlock traffic on the M6 southbound from Junction 14. Drivers are also facing queues on the northbound side past the scene of the crash.
07:52 - Map shows affected route on the M6 in Staffordshire
The M6 remains closed southbound between J13 (Stafford) and J12 (Cannock).
07:46 - 'Please allow extra journey time'
Natioanl Highways have told drivers to allow extra journey time and plan ahead.
"You may wish to re-route or even delay your journey," it said. "Further information is available from National Highways by visiting our www.trafficengland.com website and travel apps, or via our regional twitter feed.
"Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 500."
07:33 - Diversion route in place
Drivers are being asked to follow the hollow circle diversion symbol and:
- Exit the M6 southbound at J13 and join the A449 southbound
- Continue on the A449 until the junction with the A5 at Gailey
- Take the A5 eastbound and continue to then re-join the M6 southbound at J12
07:30 - Delays of up to an hour with three-mile queue
There are delays of up to 60 minutes with approximately 3 miles of congestion back towards J14 for Stafford.
There are also long delays on the diversion route with congestion through Penkridge and on the approach to Gailey roundabout via the A449.
07:29 - Closure sparked by major crash involving heavy goods vehicle and van
This morning's closure on the M6 was triggered by a serious crash involving a heavy goods vehicle and a van.
Staffordshire Police are leading the response to the ongoing incident at this stage and remain on scene to carry out a police investigation. The carriageway is expected to remain closed throughout the morning.
07:24 - Drivers warned to 'expect long delays'
Those driving in and around the Staffordshire area have been warned to expect long delays. Junction 13 to junction 12 on the M6 is currently closed for investigation work.
— StaffsRCT (@StaffsRCT) November 4, 2025******ROAD CLOSED*****
A reminder this morning that the M6 southbound from Junction 13 to junction 12 remains closed for investigation work. Please follow National Highways for updates.
Expect long delays on the approach and around the Stafford area. https://t.co/gAWRNSDHoa
07:18 - Police and collision investigators on scene
Staffordshire Police and West Midlands Ambulance Service attended the scene of a crash involving a truck and a van in the early hours of the morning. An alert was issued by National Highways just after 12.10am this morning over what was described as a "serious collision".
Police and collision investigators remain on scene with the southbound shut from Junction 13 to 12.
07:13 - Why is the M6 closed?
A stretch of the M6 in Staffordshire is closed due to a serious collision involving a heavy goods vehicle and a van.