
Drivers are being advised the M6 northbound carriageway is likely to remain closed north of Penrith for several hours following a serious collision shortly before noon today.
The incident involved an empty waste tanker travelling southbound between junction 41 and junction 42 of the motorway. The tanker collided with the central reservation barrier before crossing over into lane three of the southbound carriageway – damaging about 20 metres of safety barrier and closing both carriageways.
A Cumbria police investigation into the incident is underway. National Highways is working to reopen the southbound carriageway as soon as possible with a lane three closure remaining in place for emergency barrier repairs.
However, the northbound carriageway is likely to remain closed into this evening’s peak travel period while the police investigation continues and arrangements are made to remove the tanker from the motorway and to carry out any barrier and carriageway repairs.