A section of the M6 northbound in Staffordshire is closed following a "serious collision" this morning (Monday 17 August) involving three lorries and a car.

The M6 in Staffordshire is closed northbound between J15 Hanchurch Interchange (Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme A500) and J16 Barthomley Interchange (Stoke-on-Trent, Crewe, Nantwich, Chester A500).

A spokesperson for National Highways said: "This is due to a serious collision which occurred at approximately 04:10 on the morning of Monday 17 August involving three heavy goods vehicles and a car on the northbound carriageway.

"Staffordshire Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, Staffordshire Fire & Rescue and National Highways units attended the incident promptly and confirmed this is a very serious collision and the closure will be protracted."

The southbound carriageway had been closed to allow the emergency services to access the scene and to install incident screens.

The screens have now been installed and the southbound carriageway has been reopened.

National Highways says that drivers within the closure between J15 and the scene of the collision on the northbound carriageway are in the process of being released via rearward relief, and this will be a "protracted process".

Road users have been advised to follow the route marked with a hollow diamond diversion symbol on local road signs:

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• Exit the M6 at J15 and join the A500 towards Stoke-on-Trent.
• Continue on the A500 Queensway to re-join the M6 at J16.

A spokesperson for National Highways added: "Road users planning on using the M6 northbound towards J15 or southbound towards J16 this morning should expect delays to increase quickly and allow plenty of extra time for their journeys.

"Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police earlier today said: "We were called at 4.10am today (Monday 17 August) to the M6 northbound between junctions 15 and 16 following reports of a collision involving three lorries and a car."

In a more recent social media statement, a spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: "The M6 between JN15 & JN16 remains closed following a serious collision this morning.

"It is anticipated that the road will remain closed until this evening at the earliest due recovery operations.

"Please avoid the area and follow the diversions."

Further information is available from National Highways via the regional X feed or via the website here.