M56 LIVE traffic updates as motorway shut with long delays amid crash

Delays are building on a stretch of the M56 motorway this morning after a crash.

A stretch of the eastbound side of the motorway has been fully shut off. It is shut from junction 12 for Beechwood to junction 11 for Preston Brook.

Emergency services are currently on the scene. Long queues are building up to the closure of at least three miles.

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In a post on X, National Highways said: "#M56 eastbound is closed between J12 #Beechwood #Runcorn and J11 #Preston-on-the-Hill due to a collision. @NWmwaypolice + Fire/Rescue are in attendance.

"Delays of 30 minutes on the approach - approx. 3 miles of congestion. Updates to follow."

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Traffic is queuing up to the closure this morning.

Firefighters from the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service are on the scene this morning.

A post on the website said:

"Firefighters are currently at the scene of a two vehicle road traffic collision on M56 Eastbound between J14-J12. The road is closed so please avoid the area if possible. There are two casualties trapped and crews are working to release them."

An update posted at 6.25am said:

"Firefighters have released one of the casualties and they have been handed over to the care of paramedics and taken to hospital."

An update at 7.05am said:

"A second casualty has been released and handed over to the care of paramedics and taken to hospital."

Traffic is queuing for around three miles up to the closure on the eastbound side of the M56.

The motorway is currently fully shut from J12 to J11.

#M56 eastbound is closed between J12 #Beechwood #Runcorn and J11