Traffic bulletin: Southbound M6 closed south of Carlisle
Drivers in Cumbria and further afield are being urged to avoid a section of the M6 around Carlisle following a serious incident in the early hours of this morning (Monday 11 August 2025) which led to the closure of both the northbound and southbound carriageways just south of the city.
An HGV travelling along the northbound carriageway just before junction 42 at Lowhurst overturned at around 3.45 am, coming to rest across the central reservation and in both carriageways. Two lanes of the northbound carriageway have since re-opened (at 2pm) but the southbound M6 remains closed between junction 42 for Carlisle South and junction 41 at Catterlen Interchange.
Sections of all three lanes and the hard shoulder along the southbound carriageway are being resurfaced this afternoon with the hope of re-opening lanes one and two this evening.
Lane three in both carriageways will remain closed into tomorrow evening while National Highways repairs some 120 metres of central reservation safety barrier damaged in the incident.
A signed, southbound diversion is in place with drivers using the parallel A6 between the two junctions. However, there is heavy congestion along this diversion route and drivers with through journeys are being advised to avoid this section of the M6 altogether and plan an alternative route to their destination.
Drivers heading out on journeys can 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 feed on X.
Notes to Editors
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.
For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:
Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) and out of hours for urgent enquiriesOption 2: North West (9am to 5.30pm)Option 3: Yorkshire and North East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 4: West Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 5: East Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 6: East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 7: South East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 8: South West (9am to 5.30pm)
