Drivers were stranded on the M6 for up to 12 hours as National Highways bosses scramble to "rethink" recent roadworks.
The southbound carriageway was closed between junctions 33 and 32 over the weekend while important repairs were carried out, but the result was drivers being forced to queue for hours on end as some claimed they had to ration water while waiting. Bosses are now reportedly thinking about reworking the roadworks that are set to continue over the next three weekends.
Hundreds of cars were pictured queuing on the busy motorway, with people quick to criticise National Highways for the decision to close the motorway as well as the decision to merge three lanes into one as cars approached junction 33.
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A spokesperson for the organisation said bosses "might consider" changing the way the roadworks are being implemented and the diversion route after the chaos that broke out on the carriageway. It was also added that the full closure was needed due to the complex repairs and the waterproofing being carried out, Lancs Live reports.
Lancashire Police's force incident manager confirmed that the force had received an "increased number of calls" from drivers who were 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."
Tailbacks as a result of the roadworks stretched all the way back to Cumbria, with people complaining that there was no warning of the mess ahead. One person wrote on social media: "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 drivers are said to have handed out bottles of water to other cars and vehicles with vulnerable people in. One woman was forced to call the police as she had no food or water for her three children and was told to call 999 should anyone become unwell during the traffic jam.
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.
To carry out the bridge strike repair, two local roads under each bridge, Whittingham Lane (B5269) and Stubbins Lane will be closed during the weekend of Friday 30 September until Monday 3 October.
Diversion routes
Clearly signposted diversions will be in place.
Southbound traffic will leave the motorway at junction 33, onto the A6 for 12 miles, then onto junction 1 of the M55, re-joining the M6 at junction 32.
Drivers travelling on the M6 northbound in this area will leave the M6 at junction 32, onto junction 1 of the M55 (Broughton Roundabout), then onto the A6 (Preston Lancaster Road) for 12 miles before re-joining the M6 at junction 33.
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