The incident has led to severe delays, with traffic stretching for miles and congestion impacting the southbound carriageway from Wigan to Warrington.

A multi-vehicle crash on the M6 motorway has caused significant traffic congestion, with lanes partially closed and queues extending back to junction 24 at Ashton-in-Makerfield.

Authorities confirmed that two lanes on the M6 are closed due to a police incident, with traffic disruptions expected to last until approximately 8:30 to 8:45 am on October 1, 2025.

The police response involved managing the scene, and traffic officers remain on-site to assist, with lane closures at junctions 31A and 31, as confirmed by National Highways.

National Highways provided updates on lane closures and reopening, reporting residual delays of up to 45 minutes and congestion extending back to junction 3.

The incident caused delays of up to 95 minutes, with tailbacks reaching six miles, but traffic conditions improved as recovery efforts progressed.

Traffic initially experienced severe congestion but gradually eased as lanes reopened, with delays reducing and normal flow resuming by mid-afternoon.

Lancashire Road Police and traffic officers remain at the scene, assisting with traffic control and recovery efforts.

Ongoing updates from traffic monitoring services indicated the incident's significant impact on regional travel, with congestion peaking during the morning rush.

Travelers are advised to stay informed through official channels as the situation continues to develop and traffic conditions improve.

The crash involved at least three cars, leading to the closure of two lanes and causing delays of up to 95 minutes, with vehicles moved to the hard shoulder after recovery.

Live coverage from local news outlets provided real-time updates on the incident and traffic status throughout the morning.