LIVE M61 traffic as motorway shut after crash and vehicle fire

All traffic has been stopped on a Greater Manchester motorway this afternoon following a collision and vehicle fire.

Queues are building on the M61 Southbound from J6 A6027 De Havilland Way (Horwich) to J5 A58 Snydale Way (Westhoughton) following the accident, which is believed to have involved two vehicles.

Traffic is being held as emergency services race to the scene, with delays of at least 30 minutes currently being reported.

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Greater Manchester Police has been contacted for more information.

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Delays have eased slightly to 50 minutes, according to National Highways.

Pictures from motorway cameras show long delays on the M61 this afternoon following the collision.

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed nobody was injured in the collision this afternoon.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At just before 2.15pm on Friday (November 8) two fire engines from Wigan and Atherton fire stations attended a crash involving two cars on the M61 southbound, with one car subsequently setting alight.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used one hose reel to extinguish the fire with crews working alongside partners from North West Ambulance Service, Greater Manchester Police, and National Highways to make the surrounding area safe. GMFRS were in attendance for around 45 minutes.”

National Highways are warning of delays of around one hour against expected traffic.

One lane has now been reopened on the M61 Southbound. Two lanes remain closed, and long delays in