All traffic was stopped on the M56 towards Manchester on Tuesday night as emergency services responded to a "serious incident". Drivers between Junctions 12 (Runcorn) and 11 (Preston Brook) were stopped on the eastbound carriageway shortly after 8.30pm.
Cheshire Police announced they halted all traffic as they responded to the incident. Eyewitnesses reported to the ECHO seeing multiple marked and unmarked police cars weaving through traffic at the scene, with paramedics from the North West Ambulance Service are also present.
Motorway cameras showed traffic queuing back past Frodsham as people are diverted away from the area. National Highways implemented a diversion via the A557, A533, A558 and the A56 to rejoin the M56 at J11.
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Drivers stuck in the queues reported they 'hadn't moved for hours' on Twitter late on Tuesday evening, as National Highways made preparations to release traffic caught in the closure.
National Highways tweeted shortly after 9pm: "Preparations are being made to release all traffic caught up within the closure. It's highly likely it will be via the rear of the queue. We'll issue an updated tweet once plans are finalised."
Further details about the incident are yet to be confirmed. Cheshire Police have been approached for further details on the incident.
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