LIVE: Long queues building on stretch of M61 after crash - latest updates

Long queues are building on a stretch of the M61 motorway this afternoon after a crash.

Two lanes have been closed off on the southbound carriageway between junction two for the M60 and junction one for Manchester. There are currently delays of at least 30 minutes.

National Highways said vehicles are in the process of being moved onto the hard shoulder. Police are on the scene.

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A tweet posted by National Highways said: "Lane 1 and 2 is closed on the #M61 southbound between J2 (#A666M) (#M60) and J1 (#Manchester) due to a collision. Traffic Officers are making preparations on scene to move all vehicles involved to the hard shoulder.

" There are delays of at least 30 minutes on approach."

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Queues remain between J2 and J4 on the M61 southbound following the earlier incident.

The southbound entry slip road remains closed at J2.

The entry slip-road to the M61 southbound at J2 is expected to clear between 18:00 and 18:15, according to National Highways.

There are still delays of around 20 minutes on the motorway.

There are currently delays of 30 minutes, with congestion stretching to J4 (Farnworth), according to Inrix.