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Emergency services, including Staffordshire Police, are at the scene of a car crash on the M6 southbound, which happened between junction 16 for Crewe and junction 15 for Stoke
Motorists faced long delays as part of the M6 was shut today following a crash.
The southbound section between junction 16 for Crewe, Cheshire and junction 15 for Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, was closed for some time. The severe smash left a car overturned in the early hours of the morning.
All emergency services, including Staffordshire Police, were at the scene. National Highways Traffic Officers were also on scene assisting with traffic management, diverting drivers onto the A500 through Stoke-on-Trent.
This road, which goes into industrial city itself, was slow as a result of the diversion. It was expected this will cause chaos for Christmas shoppers and football fans, as Port Vale host Bristol Rovers in the Burslem area of the city today, but the M6 reopened by 6.30am.
For updates on the M6 closure, follow our live blog below...
06:19 - M6 southbound reopens in Staffordshire
The M6 southbound has reopened between junction 16 for Crewe and junction 15 at Stoke-on-Trent.
The accident has been cleared but it is expected to be slow in the area, from the Sandbach junction, due to the backlog in traffic.
Continue to leave with plenty of time, authorities say.
— National Highways: West Midlands (@HighwaysWMIDS) December 6, 2025
05:43 - M6 southbound traffic slow from junction 17
Southbound traffic is slow just after junction 17 for Sandbach, Cheshire.
Motorists should only use the official diversion, leaving at junction 16 for the A500, though. This is to avoid congestion through Crewe and Sandbach.
The stretch from junction 17 to junction 16, Crewe, should not add huge amounts of time onto journeys.
05:18 - M6 traffic in Staffordshire and Cheshire expected to be busy
The closure is likely to cause significant problems for drivers throughout the day.
The M6 southbound will be congested through Cheshire and Staffordshire even after the road reopens.
It will pose challenges for those travelling for Christmas shopping, parties, visiting friends and family, and for sporting events.
There is a full Premier League, English Football League schedule and FA Cup games today too. Huddersfield fans, for instance, should be wary as they will use the M6 for their trip to Cardiff.
Bolton Wanderers play away at Swindon Town and supporters will need to use the M6 for this game.
05:07 - Casualties in the M6 crash, it is thought
It is unclear how many vehicles were involved in the crash but at least one car is overturned.
Paramedics are at the scene, which is near Stoke, so it is understood at least one person has suffered injuries.
The nature and extent of these are not yet clear.
04:55 - M6 northbound traffic unaffected
All lanes are open on the M6 northbound through this section.
It may, though, get congested later because, as often the case, traffic slows past the accident on the other side of the motorway.
Motorists using this stretch of road should take approaching junction 15 for Stoke-on-Trent therefore, and potentially be vigilant later for queues up to junction 14 for Stafford.
04:52 - National Highways addresses the M6 crash
Delays are expected throughout the day — and it is usually a busy stretch of motorway connecting the Northwest of England with the Midlands.
A spokesman for National Highways said: "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.
"Further information is available from National Highways by visiting our www.trafficengland.com website and travel apps, or via our regional X feed.
"Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 5000."
04:49 - M6 diversion takes motorists onto the A500
Southbound traffic is advised to follow the hollow square diversion symbol. This will take motorists onto the A500 southbound through Stoke-on-Trent.
At junction 16, for Crewe, drivers should;
- Exit the M6 southbound at J16
- Join the A500 southbound and continue around Stoke-on-Trent to then re-join the M6 at J15
If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.
04:46 - M6 southbound closed after crash
The crash, which left a car overturned, has closed the M6 southbound between junction 16 for Crewe, Cheshire and junction 15 at Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
All emergency services including Staffordshire Police are in attendance.
National Highways Traffic Officers are also on scene assisting with traffic management.