Traffic bulletin: Northbound M6 closure at Kendal in Cumbria
Written by John Williamson on 28/10/2021
Drivers planning to use the northbound M6 in Cumbria are being advised it will remain closed at junction 36 near Kendal throughout this afternoon and beyond this evening’s peak travel period following this morning’s lorry fire between junction 38 at Tebay and junction 39 at Shap.
The lorry fire has badly damaged the carriageway and that needs to be resurfaced before the motorway can re-open. A diversion route using the A590, A591 and A6 up to junction 39 is in place from junction 36. The diversion route, between junction 36 and junction 39, is the established alternative for this section of the motorway as there is no suitable all-vehicles access to the A6 from junction 37 or junction 38.
This morning’s fire happened at around 7.30am in a lorry carrying cardboard. The carriageway has since been assessed and, due to severe scorching, a full resurface of the hard shoulder, lane one and at least half of lane two along a distacnce of about 100 metres will be required. Lane three of the motorway at this location is currently closed as part of an on-going maintenance project. The resurfacing work is expected to take at least six hours.
National Highways is advising drivers planning to travel beyond Kendal to Penrith, Carlisle and Scotland, to use the diversion route or consider delaying journeys or choosing alternative routes north.
Drivers are advised to check traffic conditions before setting out on journeys. Live traffic information is always available at www.trafficengland.com or from National Highways’ 24-7 customer contact centre at 0300 123 5000. Updates will also be posted to @HighwaysNWest – National Highways’ regional Twitter feed.
