The M6 motorway in Greater Manchester is currently closed in both directions following a tragic incident where a woman was found dead. The closure spans from junction 23 at the East Lancs Road to junction 26 at the M58 Orrell interchange, causing traffic congestion in the area. Greater Manchester Police are managing the situation, with the affected stretch expected to remain shut for the day.
It is uncertain when the M6 will reopen, as drivers are experiencing delays of up to 15 minutes due to the closure. Motorists are being diverted along alternative routes such as the M58, the A570 Rainford Bypass, and the A580 East Lancs Road. Additionally, Downall Green Road in Ashton-in-Makerfield has been closed as a result of the incident.
National Highways has reported significant delays on the M6, with 45-minute delays northbound and 20-minute delays southbound. Emergency services, including Greater Manchester Police and National Highways Traffic Officers, are on the scene. The closure is expected to last throughout the day, and there is no current estimate for when the road will reopen.
Authorities are urging travelers to review their plans and exercise patience as investigations continue. Formal identification of the deceased woman is pending, but there are no suspicious circumstances reported. The closure is impacting traffic flow on surrounding roads, as seen on Google Maps, with congestion building in the area.