A66 - Road traffic collision
The A66 in Cumbria is closed in both directions between the B6542 (Appleby-in-Westmorland) and A685 (Brough) due to to multi-vehicle collision.
At approximately 5:30pm this evening Cumbria Police informed National Highways that the carriageway had been closed following a collision involving 4 cars and 2 Heavy Goods Vehicles which have both overturned.
One of the overturned HGV's has shed its load of potatoes on to the carriageway.
Police remain on scene. Recovery of both HGV's is underway. It is expected to be protracted as the HGV's need to be righted and is expected to take several further hours.
Once vehicle recovery has been completed 44 tonnes of potatoes will need to be cleared.
Diversion Routes
Road users travelling eastbound are advised to follow the solid square diversion route symbol:
- Leave the A66 eastbound at the M6 J40 and join the southbound carriageway towards Tebay.
- At the M6 J38 (Tebay) leave the M6 southbound and join the A685 heading north east towards Kirkby Stephen.
- Follow the A685 back to the A66 eastbound at Brough and re-join the A66 eastbound to continue your journey.
Road users travelling westbound are advised to follow the solid triangle on road signs:
- Exit the A66 at the A685 Brough junction.
- Join the A685 southwards to Kirkby Stephen and westwards to Tebay.
- Join M6 at Jct. 38 (Tebay) and proceed North to rejoin A66 at Jct. 40 (Skirsgill).
- Re-join the A66 east or westbound at J40 to continue your journey.
Please note that due to a low bridge on both the diversion routes vehicles of 14 '6" feet are advised to divert via the A69.
If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.
Further information is available from National Highways by via our regional X feed. Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 5000.
