Major Delays on the M6 Near Preston After Serious Early‑Morning Crash
PRESTON, UK – May 15, 2025 — Motorists on the M6 northbound near Preston have faced severe delays following a collision between a van and a lorry shortly before 6 AM today. The incident, which occurred between Junctions 31A and 32 near the M55 Broughton interchange, prompted an immediate full closure of the carriageway and led to lengthy tailbacks across the region.
Collision Details and Emergency Response
At approximately 5:42 AM, Lancashire Police were notified of a collision involving a van and a lorry on the M6 northbound between Junctions 31A and 32. Emergency services—including police, fire, and ambulance crews—arrived on scene within minutes. A spokesperson confirmed that a woman in her 40s sustained serious injuries and was subsequently transported to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment (Lancashire Evening Post, Blog Preston).
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with debris scattered across the carriageway. Three of the four northbound lanes were initially closed to allow paramedics to tend to the injured and to enable police to conduct their early investigation. Traffic was held for over 30 minutes before any lanes could be reopened (Blog Preston).
Traffic Impact and Congestion
The closure resulted in significant congestion, with tailbacks extending back as far as Junction 29 at Bamber Bridge. National Highways reported delays of up to 50 minutes for vehicles attempting to travel northbound past the scene. The blockage on the M6 also caused knock‑on effects across the local road network: the M61 northbound, Higher Walton Road, London Road, the A59, and Garstang Road all experienced unusually heavy traffic as motorists sought alternative routes (Lancashire Evening Post, Lancaster Guardian).
Many drivers reported being stationary in queues for over an hour, with some mile‑long tailbacks forming through the Preston suburbs. Local bus services on affected corridors ran significantly behind schedule, further compounding travel disruptions.
Gradual Reopening of the Carriageway
By 7:00 AM, one lane was reopened to allow a limited flow of traffic, easing some pressure on the remaining queuing vehicles. Shortly after 7:30 AM, a second lane was made available. Lancashire Police confirmed that all lanes were fully reopened by 8:00 AM, though residual congestion lingered for several hours as the backlog cleared (Lancaster Guardian).
National Highways advised drivers to expect delays until midday, as traffic volumes during the morning peak compounded the slowdown. Roadside signage and variable message displays were deployed to warn approaching drivers of the incident and to suggest alternative routes via the M55 and A6.
Investigation Underway
Lancashire Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the collision. Officers at the scene collected witness statements and are reviewing any available CCTV and dash‑cam footage to reconstruct the events leading up to the crash. No further details on causation have been released pending the outcome of this inquiry (Blog Preston).
Advice for Motorists
Drivers planning travel through Preston are urged to:
- Check real‑time traffic updates via the National Highways traffic alerts website.
- Allow extra journey time, particularly on routes linking to the M6 and M61.
- Consider alternative routes, such as diverting via the A6 or M55 before Junction 32 to avoid the worst of the congestion.
Motorists with information or dash‑cam footage relevant to the collision are asked to contact Lancashire Police, quoting incident reference LP/2025/05/15‑M6.
Further updates will be issued as more information becomes available and once the full investigation report is compiled.