A police-led incident temporarily shut both directions of the M61 in Lancashire on Friday evening, October 16, while emergency repairs on the M6 northbound caused significant congestion across nearby routes.
Traffic monitoring service Inrix reported delays on both motorways, with the M61 reopening by 8:30 p. m.
according to an eyewitness.
The M61 closure affected the stretch between junction 9, where the motorway meets the M65, and junction 8 at Chorley.
National Highways confirmed that Lancashire Police was leading the incident and reported delays of 20 minutes on the approach, with congestion extending for 2 miles.
A National Highways spokesperson said the road was closed for a Lancashire Police led incident, with current delays of 20 minutes on the approach and 2 miles of congestion.
The road had reopened by 8:30 p. m.
, according to an eyewitness cited by LancsLive.
The available reports did not specify the nature of the police incident or whether anyone was injured.
M6 northbound repairs add to congestion
Separately, motorists faced lengthy delays on the M6 northbound because of emergency repair work near junction 32, the Broughton Interchange, where the motorway meets the M55.
Inrix reported that two lanes were closed during the repairs, with congestion stretching back to junction 28 at Leyland and the M61 junction 9 at Clayton Brook.
The disruption affected traffic on a wider section of the motorway network in Lancashire.
The M61 incident occurred ahead of a previously announced overnight maintenance closure scheduled for the following Sunday.
National Highways had advised drivers that the northbound carriageway between junctions 6 and 8 would close from 10 p.
m. on October 18 until 6 a.
m. on Monday, October 19.
That planned closure forms part of a maintenance program running from September 14 through December 18.
During the shutdown, northbound motorists traveling from Bolton toward Chorley and Preston are expected to follow a signed diversion via the A6027, A6 and A674, while southbound traffic is scheduled to remain accessible.
National Highways also announced overnight restrictions on the M61 northbound exit slip road at junction 8 from 8 p.
m. to 6 a.
m. on weekdays, with additional weekend closures possible if required.
Drivers unable to exit at junction 8 during those restrictions are advised to continue to junction 9 before exiting and returning toward junction 8.
