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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Helen Carter

Long delays on M6 after trailer fire in early hours closes motorway in Warwickshire

The M6 in Warwickshire is closed southbound between Coventry and Rugby after a huge lorry trailer fire, which broke out in the early hours of Tuesday, led to plumes of smoke belching from the burning vehicle.

Firefighters from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service remain on the scene and are managing the incident, which began at around 03:00am.

The motorway was closed in both directions for a number of hours, but the northbound carriageway was re-opened between Junction 1 at Brownsover and Junction 2 at Ansty shortly after 07:30am.

Highways England said there are delays of "at least 30 minutes" above usual journey times on the southbound carriageway between Junction 3 (Bedworth) and Junction 2 (Coventry).

Average speeds approaching Junction 2 are just five miles an hour.

Highways England said queuing traffic is spanning three miles back to Junction 3 and is warning people to plan extra time for their journeys.

Specialist crews are at the scene working to get the carriageway reopened as soon as possible.

Drivers are advised to follow the 'Hollow Triangle' diversion route which means exiting the M6 at Junction 2 on to the M69 northbound to Junction 1.

Take the exit to the A5 eastbound and continue to the A426 junction.

Then take the A426 southbound to rejoin the M6 at Junction 1.

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: "Appliances from Bedworth, Nuneaton and the water bowser from Coleshill attending a severe lorry fire Junctions 2 to 1, M6 causing massive delays."

There are long days on the A46 Coventry Eastern Bypass with congestion stretching back to the M69 and M6 Junction 2.

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