A MAJOR motorway has been shut down in both directions after a huge lorry fire overnight.
Drivers have been warned of travel chaos on the M6 this morning as delays are expected to continue for hours.
Emergency services responded to reports of the blaze at around 2.30am from junctions 22 at Winwick and 23 for the East Lancs Road.
The southbound carriageway reopened around an hour later, but the northbound carriageway remains shut.
A National Highways spokesperson said: “The M6 in Greater Manchester is closed northbound between J22 (Winwick) & J23 (Haydock Island) due a substantial lorry fire.
“Manchester Fire & Rescue, Greater Manchester Police and National Highways Traffic Officers are in attendance..
“The closure is expected to remain in place for several hours due to the significance of the blaze and the high likelihood of carriageway repairs once the fire has been extinguished.”
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