M56 traffic: Chaos on major UK motorway as emergency repairs spark 'severe delays'
Emergency repairs that began overnight sparked the prolonged closure of two out of three lanes.
National Highways announced shortly before 4pm on Sunday that all lanes on the M56 had been reopened - nearly 24 hours after emergency works sparked their closure.
Earlier on August 18, the organisation had warned of "severe delays" on the M56 following the prolonged closure of two out of three lanes.
Emergency repairs that started shortly before 6pm on Saturday, August 17, had sparked chaos on the M56 in Cheshire eastbound between J14 (Ellesmere Port) and J12 (Runcorn).
At the peak of the disruption, National Highways warned of delays of more than 90 minutes, with seven miles of congestion on approach.
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What had sparked the closure of the lanes?
The lane closure that prompted major congestion on the M56 had been provoked by a "broken metal grid", National Highways said on Saturday.
All lanes reopened
National Highways announced all lanes have reopened.
It wrote on X: "All lanes have re-opened on the #M56 in #Cheshire eastbound between J14 & J12 following the repair of an infrastructure defect."
Delays, the organisation added shortly before 4pm, will start to ease.
At the time, National Highways warned there were delays of around 60 minutes and four miles of congestion.
All lanes have re-opened on the #M56 in #Cheshire eastbound between J14 & J12 following the repair of an infrastructure defect.
\u2014 National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) August 18, 2024
Delays will start to ease, there's still delays of around 60 minutes & 4 miles of congestion.
Thank you for your patience, have a safe onward journey. pic.twitter.com/NVx0x8Vyp7
Wrexham AFC fans caught in traffic chaos
Some of the fans of the Welsh football team Wrexham AFC said to have been affected by "traffic nightmares".
The Welsh fans were heading to Bolton this morning for an away game when they were caught up in the delays.
The social media account of a football podcast called Fearless in Devotion joked on X earlier today: "Two away games in a week, both plagued by traffic nightmares. Can we start getting chartered @united flights to games please..."
Me the Wife and Wrexham AFC Podcast team added: "Currently stuck in traffic on the M56 Not fun!"
People urged to plan travel and re-route accordingly
As delays continue, the advice shared by National Highways when the congestion on the M56 started earlier today still stands.
It read: "If this impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.
"Further information is available from National Highways by visiting our www.trafficengland.com website and travel apps, or via our regional X (Twitter) feed. Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 5000."
Repairs completed - but lanes remain closed
At around 3pm, National Highways announced the hours-long repairs work had finally be terminated.
However, motorists were warned to still expect delays, with two lanes still shut down.
A message shared on X read: "2 (of 3) lanes remain closed on the #M56 eastbound J14 - J12.
"Repairs are now complete & the curing process is underway. As soon as concrete is ccured the lane closures will be lifted, we're hoping for all lanes to have re-opened by 4pm."
2 (of 3) lanes remain closed on the #M56 eastbound J14 - J12.
\u2014 National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) August 18, 2024
Repairs are now complete & the curing process is underway. As soon as concrete is ccured the lane closures will be lifted, we're hoping for all lanes to have re-opened by 4pm.
More info - https://t.co/0OqcLdR9Gt pic.twitter.com/M4FEhZL1mG
Good afternoon
Good afternoon from London. I’m Alice Scarsi, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on the traffic delays on the M56.