MOTORISTS faced ‘severe’ delays on the M56 following an incident this morning, Tuesday.
Emergency services were called out to deal with a lorry fire on the eastbound carriageway.
The carriageway was fully closed for a period between junction 12 for Runcorn and junction 11 for Daresbury.
This was reduced to a three-lane closure, then two, with the motorway now fully reopen.
Four fire engines from Warrington, Runcorn, Birchwood and Lymm fire stations rushed to the scene shortly after 10am, as well as police and traffic officers from National Highways.
The #M56 eastbound between J12 and J11 is currently blocked due to a vehicle fire. @CheshireFire and @NWMPG are on scene. Thank you for your patience. pic.twitter.com/ncJodwS75S
— National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) April 12, 2022
A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman confirmed that the fire involved the tractor unit and trailer of the HGV.
The blaze was extinguished by firefighters using two hose reels.
At its height, tailbacks stretched more than five miles, with travel time in excess of an hour.
Traffic was slow in the passing lanes and on the westbound carriageway due to onlookers.
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