THE M53 has shut due to a rush-hour crash – after traffic was stopped as “all emergency crews” scrambled to the scene.
The motorway has closed southbound between junction five at Eastham and junction seven at Overpool following the collision in Liverpool.
Congestion has been reported back to junction 4 at Bebington.
A northbound lane is also closed between J7 B5132 Netherpool Road (Overpool) to J6 (Hooton), according to Inrix traffic monitor.
National Highways originally reported that traffic had been “stopped” shortly after 8.30 this morning.
It then announced a closure between junctions 5 and 6 – where the crash took place.
In a further update, the agency said the closure had been extended to junction 7 – with “all emergency services” deployed to the scene.
This included Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
Drivers were warned to “expect long delays in the area”, while Inrix described the disruption as “severe”.
It said: “M53 Southbound blocked, severe delays due to accident from J5 A41 New Chester Road (Eastham) to J7 B5132 Netherpool Road (Overpool). Congestion to J4 (Bebington).
“The road was blocked around 08:35am. A lane closure is in place Northbound.”
Traffic within the closure is now being released forwards, according to National Highways.
Merseyside Police has been contacted for comment.
Diversion details
NATIONAL Highways has provided drivers with the following diversion route:
Leave the M53 at J5
At the roundabout take the third exit on to the A41 New Chester Road southbound
At the junction with the A550 turn right
Follow the A550 Welsh Road southbound
At the Two Mills junction with the A540 turn left
Follow the A540 Parkgate Road southbound
At the Parkgate junction with the A5117 turn left
Follow the A5117 eastbound past Cheshire Oaks
At the A5117/M53 J10 roundabout take the third exit to re-join the M53
AlamyThe M53 motorway has closed following a collision[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
