M56 LIVE: Huge two-HOUR delays with 11-mile queues on motorway - latest updates

There are huge delays of around three hours on the M56 motorway this afternoon due to emergency repair work.

Two lanes have been closed off on the eastbound stretch of the motorway near junction 12 at Runcorn. According to National Highways, emergency roadworks are in place 'due to a failed drain cover'.

The repair work is 'expected to be completed by mid-afternoon'. Traffic is currently queueing for around 11 miles up to the closure, with three-hour delays on the motorway.

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In an initial post on X at 9.15am this morning, National Highways said: "NEW INCIDENT #M56 eastbound within J12 #Runcorn @LPL_Airport. LANES CLOSED 2 lanes (of 3) closed for emergency roadworks due to a collapsed drainage cover.

"1 hour delay and 5 miles of congestion. Allow extra time if heading that way as repairs expected to take a few hours."

An update posted at 12.40pm said: "UPDATE #M56 eastbound within J12 #Runcorn. LANES CLOSED 2 lanes (of 3) remain closed for emergency roadworks due to a failed drain cover. The works are expected to be completed by mid-afternoon.

"Currently causing 2 hour delay from J16 with 9 miles of congestion."

A further update said the delays had gone to three hours, with 11 miles of queues.

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In a post at 1.50pm, National Highways said there are now delays of THREE HOURS.

Traffic is queuing for around 11 miles up to the closure.

UPDATE#M56 eastbound within J12 #Runcorn

LANES CLOSED

2 lanes (of 3) remain closed for emergency roadworks due to a failed drain cover. The works are expected to be completed by mid-afternoon.

Currently causing 3 hour