Drivers in the North West are facing major disruption after a serious crash on the M62 led to a vehicle catching fire, with emergency services rushing to the scene and sections of the motorway brought to a standstill. The incident has also triggered knock-on delays on connecting routes, especially around the key M6 link roads that feed into the M62.
Motorway incidents are always fast-moving, but what made this one especially alarming was the report that a car burst into flames after the crash. For motorists caught in the queue, it quickly became less about “traffic” and more about safety: slowing down, giving space to responders, and finding the quickest way out of the jam without making the situation worse.
Where the closure is and why it matters
Early updates indicated the M62 eastbound was closed between key junctions around the M6 connection, a stretch that often becomes the pinch point for weekend and commuter traffic. When any incident happens here, the impact spreads quickly: long tailbacks, slip-road closures, and heavy delays that can ripple into Warrington, Birchwood, and beyond.
Because this area acts as a gateway between major routes, even drivers who aren’t on the M62 can feel the effects. It’s common for congestion to build on feeder roads, local A-roads, and nearby motorway junctions as navigation apps reroute drivers away from the closure.
What we know so far
Reports described a serious collision involving multiple vehicles, followed by a car fire. Emergency services attended, and drivers were urged to expect significant delays while the scene was made safe. In situations like this, responders may need time to:
- extinguish the fire and remove any remaining hazards
- treat injuries and safely move people away from live carriageways
- recover damaged vehicles (often requiring heavy recovery)
- inspect the road surface for debris, fuel, or damage
It’s also normal for lanes or full carriageways to stay closed while investigators assess the crash scene and recovery teams work. That can extend disruption well beyond the initial incident time, even after the immediate danger has passed.
Advice for drivers: what to do right now
If you’re traveling in the area, the most useful thing you can do is avoid last-minute lane changes and don’t follow risky “shortcuts” through residential streets. Instead:
- Check official updates before you leave, and again just before joining the motorway.
- Build extra time into your journey—queues can grow quickly once slip roads are closed.
- Follow diversion signs where posted; they’re designed to prevent bottlenecks on local roads.
- If you’re already in traffic, stay in your vehicle unless instructed otherwise by emergency services.
For the most reliable live status updates, use Traffic England (National Highways), which posts incident notes and congestion alerts for England’s motorways and major A-roads. You can also check National Highways travel updates before heading out.
Why motorway car fires cause longer delays
When a vehicle fire is involved, closures often last longer than a typical minor collision. Fire crews may need additional time to fully cool the vehicle, prevent flare-ups, and ensure no hazardous fluids have spread across lanes. If the surface is affected—by heat damage, debris, or spilled fuel—clean-up and inspections can take time before the road can safely reopen.
That’s why some incidents appear to “drag on” even after traffic begins moving on navigation apps: what looks like a short stretch of closure can still cause long delays while traffic flow normalizes.
Knock-on disruption: M6 links and local roads
Drivers should also expect delays on adjoining routes, especially where the M6 feeds traffic onto the M62. When slip roads are shut, queues can build in places that don’t immediately look connected to the crash location—particularly around junction approaches and roundabouts near motorway interchanges.
If you’re traveling between cities or heading to the airport, station, or an event, it’s worth planning a buffer and checking updates from official sources. If you can delay your journey slightly, you may avoid the worst of the congestion as recovery work completes.
As emergency services complete their work, lanes will typically reopen in stages. In many cases, traffic remains heavy for a while even after a full reopen, because the backlog takes time to clear. If you rely on this corridor regularly, keep an eye on updates through the evening, as restrictions can return temporarily if recovery vehicles need access.
We’ll continue updating this story as more confirmed information is released by official sources.
Related on Swikblog: If you follow UK travel disruption and road updates, you can explore more here: UK traffic updates | Motorway closures & delays
Note: Details can change quickly during active incidents. For the latest confirmed status, check official traffic services before setting off.
