Why Is the M6 Still Closed Northbound Between J23 and J24 After a Van and Lorry Crash?

Quick answer: The M6 northbound remains closed between junction 23 at Haydock (Newton-le-Willows) and junction 24 at Ashton-in-Makerfield after a serious collision involving a van and a lorry late on Sunday night, 18 October 2026. One of the vehicles caught fire, damaging the road surface, and the northbound carriageway stayed shut into Monday while police investigated and emergency resurfacing was arranged.

Key facts

• Where: M6 northbound between junction 23 at Haydock / Newton-le-Willows and junction 24 at Ashton-in-Makerfield, Merseyside.
• When: The collision was reported shortly before 10pm on Sunday 18 October 2026; Merseyside Police said the report came in at around 9.55pm.
• Vehicles: A van and a lorry were involved.
• Fire and road damage: One of the vehicles caught fire, damaging the road surface so badly that emergency resurfacing was required.
• Closures: Both carriageways were initially shut. The southbound carriageway later reopened, but the northbound carriageway remained closed on Monday 19 October.
• Delays: National Highways reported delays of about 30 minutes on the M6 northbound, with further delays on roads around Haydock, including East Lancashire Road.
• Casualties: The reports seen did not state any deaths or injuries, and police had given no further update on the crash itself by Monday afternoon.

What happened

Merseyside Police said emergency services were called to a serious collision on the M6 at around 9.55pm on Sunday 18 October. The collision involved a van and a lorry. The crash led to a vehicle fire, and the closure was first reported at around 10.20pm. Both carriageways were initially shut while police collision investigators worked at the scene. Emergency services, including the North West Motorway Police Group and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, attended, and emergency services remained at the scene overnight.

Casualties and emergency response

The reports seen did not state any deaths or injuries, and at 12.17pm on Monday the St Helens Star noted there had been no further updates on the crash itself. The published updates focused on the closure, the investigation and the road repairs. The emergency response involved police, fire and rescue crews and National Highways, with police collision investigators carrying out work at the scene before recovery and repair could begin.

Road and traffic impact

The northbound carriageway stayed completely shut between J23 and J24 into Monday, with the closure expected to last several hours. National Highways said a police collision investigation was under way, and that after it finished, recovery agents would remove the vehicles involved and the road surface would be assessed for damage. There was no estimated time for the road to reopen. Because one vehicle caught fire, the road surface was damaged and emergency resurfacing works were required once the vehicle had been recovered. Traffic monitoring service Inrix described the incident as a serious accident involving a van and a lorry. Delays of about 30 minutes were reported on the M6 northbound, with further delays on roads around Haydock, including East Lancashire Road.

Diversions

Northbound drivers were advised to follow the hollow diamond diversion symbol: leave the M6 at J23, take the second exit at the roundabout onto the A580 heading west, follow the A580 to the A580/A58 junction, turn right onto the A58 eastbound, and continue back to the M6 at J24 to rejoin northbound. Southbound drivers were advised to follow the solid circle symbol: leave the M6 at J24, turn right onto the A58 heading west, follow the A58 to the A58/A580 junction, turn left onto the A580 heading east, and continue back to the M6 at J23, taking the third exit at the roundabout to rejoin.

What happens next

Police collision investigators were continuing their work at the scene. Once the investigation was complete, recovery agents were to remove the vehicles, the road surface was to be assessed and emergency resurfacing carried out. National Highways said further updates would be provided as recovery and repair work continued. Drivers planning to travel through the area were urged to allow extra time and to avoid the route if possible.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the M6 closed?

The M6 northbound is closed between junction 23 at Haydock (Newton-le-Willows) and junction 24 at Ashton-in-Makerfield in Merseyside. The southbound carriageway reopened after both carriageways were initially shut.

When did the crash happen?

Merseyside Police said the collision was reported at around 9.55pm on Sunday 18 October 2026, shortly before 10pm. The closure was first reported at around 10.20pm.

What vehicles were involved?

A van and a lorry were involved in the serious collision. One of the vehicles caught fire, which damaged the road surface.

Were there any casualties?

The reports seen did not state any deaths or injuries. Police had given no further update on the crash itself by Monday afternoon.

When will the M6 reopen northbound?

There was no estimated reopening time. The road was to stay closed until the police investigation finished, the vehicles were recovered and the damaged surface was repaired.