Drivers have reportedly been forced to "ration" their water and are "running out of petrol" after part of the M6 has been at a standstill for more than nine hours.
A notice on National Highways' website warns of "severe delays" between junctions 32 and 33 of the M6 Southbound in Lancashire. The government-owned company has closed the carriageway to allow for planned roadworks, and is giving an estimated delay time of three hours.
However some motorists have reportedly been stuck at the junction for more than nine hours. Posting to Twitter, user @toffeelady1959 said: "M6 southbound iunction 33, I am now on rations and sips of water. Could be here all night at this rate. Waiting time two hours 15 mins and car not moved."
Replying to the tweet, Sue Nugent said: "My son and kids have been stuck for over nine hours." Questioning National Highways' estimated delay time, Twitter user @LittleHitters, from Liverpool, said: "Is this a sick joke as we’ve been in it EIGHT hours at the same junction we entered on 8 hours ago!
"No food or water & running out of petrol as we have to keep stop start to move an inch forward every half hour. God help the elderly or people with young children and dogs." User Jo Dennis said: "Five hours!!!!!!!!! We still have 100 miles to go once we get through this. My mum cannot relieve herself by the side of the road - she’s 86!!! We are preparing for her to go in the car on a dog bed."
User @SBLCheshire said: "Please open the M6! The delays are ridiculous! These works have not been thought through at all. People have been sitting in traffic for hours! Stuck between J34 and J33 for over 2 hours and no where near the A6 diversion yet. You are putting people at risk with these closures!"
Becca Baldwin said: "My partner and elderly mother in law are sat in this and have been for the last 5 hours nearly 6!! Needs sorting ASAP! They are without water and struggling!"
Replying to the comments on Twitter, National Highways North West said: "I'm really sorry for the disruption the works are causing. The weekend closure is essential for planned bridge repairs. Closing over a full weekend reduces the amount of overnight closures needed."
READ NEXT:
-
Guests wake to police 'banging' on doors after woman's body found in Adelphi Hotel
-
Full list of what you can and can't do as Britain enters national period of mourning
-
Burglar riffled through woman's home while she was at her dad's funeral
-
Nan locked up for £1.2million HMRC scam days after birth of first grandchild
