M6 south closed near Stafford

Drivers are being warned of long delays on the M6 in Staffordshire after a burning lorry melted a section of the motorway.

The southbound carriageway between junction 13 (Stafford south) and junction 12 (Cannock) could be closed until 18:00 BST, police said.

Traffic officers tweeted an image of the HGV showing the flames which had spread across the carriageway.

Five miles of queues were reported and some people were stuck for six hours.

Long delays are expected on all surrounding routes, police said earlier.

Resurfacing work will take place while the road is shut.

Highways England said the section of the M6 southbound was closed due to “a severe HGV fire which engulfed all lanes of the carriageway” shortly after 01:30 BST.

It said: “The intensity of the fire has caused extensive damage to the carriageway and resurfacing is required.”

Southbound traffic going towards Staffordshire heading for the south east should divert towards the M1 if possible, police said.

Highways England has advised motorists to leave the M6 southbound at junction 13 and follow diversion signs through Penkridge and onto the A5 eastbound to re-join the M6 at junction 12.

Alternatively traffic travelling southbound could use the A500, A38 and M1 for longer journeys, it said.