M6 Closed After Lorry Overturns and Spills Diesel in Staffordshire

A major part of the M6 motorway is closed after a lorry overturned in Staffordshire last night, spilling diesel across both sides of the road.

The crash happened at about 10:30 p.m. on the northbound carriageway between Junction 14 (Stafford) and Junction 15 (Stoke-on-Trent).

According to National Highways, the HGV hit a concrete central barrier before flipping over. This caused a large diesel spill across both carriageways.

For a time, drivers were trapped inside the closure while emergency services worked at the scene. They were later released.

The lorry driver was not hurt. No other vehicles were involved, police confirmed.

The motorway has now been closed for nearly 12 hours, and delays are building in the area. Congestion is stretching back to Junction 13.

Diversions are in place, but traffic is moving slowly. National Highways says the road will likely stay closed through the morning so crews can recover the lorry and resurface the damaged area.

Two lanes on the southbound side are also closed.

Staffordshire Police said: “The HGV collided with the central and nearside barriers, overturning and spilling diesel. No injuries reported. The road is expected to stay closed for resurfacing and repairs.”

This comes just days after another serious incident on the M6 near Junction 11. In that case, a motorist drove the wrong way on the northbound side before crashing into a lorry. Police later found the driver was well over the drink-drive limit.