LIVE: Huge queues on M6 as motorway shut after serious lorry crash - latest updates

Huge queues are building on a stretch of the M6 after a serious crash involving a lorry.

The southbound carriageway of the motorway has been fully shut off between junction 17 for Sandbach and Crewe and junction 16. Emergency services including police, firefighters and paramedics are on the scene.

A diversion route has been put in place. Congestion is building up to the incident with long queues forming on the southbound carriageway.

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National Highways said: "The M6 in Cheshire is closed southbound between J17 Sandbach Interchange (Congleton, Sandbach A534) and J16 Barthomley Interchange (Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent (N), Crewe, Nantwich A500). This is due to a collision involving a lorry.

"North West Motorway Police, North West Ambulance Service, Cheshire Fire & Rescue and National Highways have units on scene."

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Traffic is now starting to ease.

We are ending our live coverage of this incident here.

A statement on the Highways England website said:

"The M6 in Cheshire is closed southbound between J17 Sandbach Interchange (Congleton, Sandbach A534) and J16 Barthomley Interchange (Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent (N), Crewe, Nantwich A500).

"This is due to a collision involving a lorry.

"North West Motorway Police, North West Ambulance Service, Cheshire Fire & Rescue and National Highways have units on scene."

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