Huge queues as crash shuts M62 between Leeds and Bradford

AN accident has closed the M62 in West Yorkshire, with long traffic queues across the county.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th May 2013, 15:17 BST
The scene on the M62. Pictures by Bruce RollinsonThe scene on the M62. Pictures by Bruce Rollinson
The scene on the M62. Pictures by Bruce Rollinson

The motorway is blocked eastbound and westbound between Junction 26, the M606 near Bradford and Junction 27, the M621 at Gildersome.

Congestion is reported as far back as Ainley Top to the west and Rothwell to the east.

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The accident, involving a lorry, a tanker and a third vehicle, occurred on the eastbound carriageway. Police also closed the westbound section just after lunchtime to allow an air ambulance to land. The driver of the tanker had to be freed from his cab with specialist equipment.

The scene on the M62. Pictures by Bruce RollinsonThe scene on the M62. Pictures by Bruce Rollinson
The scene on the M62. Pictures by Bruce Rollinson

One lane re-opened just before 5pm but queuing traffic remains and police estimate travel time of at least half an hour through the affected area. The remaining lanes were due to re-open by mid-evening.

Access was earlier closed on to the eastbound M62 from the M606 in Bradford, and on to the westbound M62 from the M621 in Leeds. There are queues on the southbound carriageways of both the M606 and M621.

The Highways Agency advised drivers to avoid the area and to delay journeys or seek alternative routes - but warned that signposted diversions were already “extremely busy”.

Related topics:M62LeedsWest YorkshireBradfordPoliceM621