Pile up sparks chaos on M6

Jul 18 2007 By Tony Deeley, Birmingham Mail

A CRASH involving a lorry and three cars - right outside a breakdown recovery centre - brought peak hour traffic chaos to the motorway network in the Midlands today.

The vehicles were in collision near the RAC Centre on the south bound carriageway of the M6 between Junctions 9 at Wednesbury and 8 at Great Barr about 6.20am, blocking two lanes.

Police and Highways Agency officials coned off the inside and middle lanes for about one and a half hours while breakdown and recovery services set to work.

Jams of almost ten miles ensued, with traffic tailbacks past Junction 11 at Cannock.

There were no reports of serious injuries.

The knock-on effects of the crash lasted for several hours as motorists faced frustrating delays on the journey to work.

An AA Roadwatch spokesman said: "The accident happened near Junction 9 and was first reported to us at 6.20 am. Queues started to build up almost immediately and were at their worst about 7.40 am, with tailbacks to Hilton Park Services near Cannock.

"The road was clear by 7.50 am but with more and more traffic coming down the motorway the queues stayed around for some considerable while longer."

A Highways Agency spokeswoman said: "The accident involved three cars and a lorry and added to people's journey times."