Highways bosses will consider making changes to the 'nightmare' M6 closure which caused chaos for motorists this weekend. Some motorists complained of being stuck for 10 hours after roadworks saw the southbound motorway closed near Lancaster.
The carriageway was closed between junctions 33 and 32 over the weekend while bridge repairs were carried out close to the M55, LancsLive reports. Further closures are also planned for the next three weekends.
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Many motorists were left stranded in tailbacks with some reporting they were delayed by as much as 12 hours. Some have criticised National Highways for the decision to close the motorway while the way three lanes merge to one ahead of Junction 33 has also been questioned and blamed for much of the congestion.
Lorry drivers have reportedly been creating a convoy in order to improve traffic flow ahead of Junction 33 where three lanes become one. National Highways has now said the impact of the closure will likely be considered over the following days ahead of next weekend. It comes after police urged them to consider an alternative
A NH spokesman told LancsLive that bosses 'might consider' changing the logistics of the closure, and diversion route, in light of this weekend's scenes. They added that the full closure had been necessary because of the complex repairs and waterproofing being carried out.
Lancashire Constabulary's force incident manager confirmed to LancsLive that police received 'an increased number of calls' from motorists left stranded in the congestion without food or water. He said: "We have received an increased number of calls, particularly yesterday, and took appropriate action.
"It was escalated to the lead agency, National Highways, so police have had to push highways towards seeking alternative arrangements to prevent further upset to members of the public."
Were you held up by the traffic on the M6 this weekend? Let us know in our comments section.
Tailbacks caused by the closure stretched all the way up to Cumbria as motorists claimed there had been no warning before passing 'the point of no return'. One said on Facebook: "I appreciate the closure was advertised locally but for those of us from other parts of the UK we had no idea.
"It wasn't until we got past the point of no return that we realised the motorway was closed. Once we went past Junction 34 that was it; we just had to sit it out."
Some motorists reportedly handed out bottled water to some of the vulnerable motorists stuck in the traffic. One woman, who had no food or water for her three children, said she called police in a state of panic and was advised 'to ring 999 for an ambulance if anyone becomes unwell'.
For the time being, the northbound carriageway is also due to close overnight on Monday 26 September and Tuesday 27 September from 9pm until 5am.
This will be followed by weekend closures on M6 southbound carriageway between junctions 33 and 32 during these four weekends:
- Friday 9 September – Monday 12 September
- Friday 16 September – Monday 19 September
- Friday 23 September – Monday 26 September
- Friday 30 September – Monday 3 October
These closures are due in place from 9pm on Fridays until 5am on the following Monday.
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