Full Breakdown
Multi-Vehicle Crash Blocks Southbound M61, Causing Three-Mile Queue
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
On the morning of September 15, a multi-vehicle collision occurred at 06:09 BST on the southbound carriageway of the M61 motorway. The crash forced the closure of one lane between junction 8 at Chorley, Lancashire, and junction 6 at Horwich, Bolton, Greater Manchester. National Highways reported that the blockage extended for roughly three miles between Limbrick and Grimeford Village.
Traffic Impact
The lane closure created a queue that added about 30 minutes to journey times for drivers traveling the affected stretch. Initial reports indicated that all traffic on the southbound side was stopped, with the queue persisting until the lane could be cleared. By around 8:30 am, National Highways confirmed that all three southbound lanes had been reopened, allowing traffic to resume normal flow.
Response by National Highways
National Highways issued real-time updates throughout the incident, confirming the time of the crash, the extent of the lane blockage, and the estimated delay. The agency also provided guidance on the location of the congestion and advised motorists to seek alternative routes while the incident was being managed. Their statements emphasized that the situation was being monitored and that the lane would be reopened as soon as it was safe to do so.
Timeline of the Event
- 06:09 BST, September 15 – Crash occurs; one southbound lane blocked.
- 07:30 BST – Traffic still halted; lane closure remains in effect.
- ?08:30 BST – All southbound lanes reopened; congestion begins to clear.
The incident illustrates how a single multi-vehicle collision can quickly disrupt a major motorway corridor, leading to significant travel delays even when the blockage is limited to a single lane.