M56 tanker fire leads to motorway closure

8:02pm - POLICE UPDATE

This was the official word at 7.50pm:

"Police are preparing to lift some of the road closures that are in place. Although, please remain patient as it is like to take some time to get things flowing again.

"Meanwhile, action has also been taken to help those motorists trapped between the incident and the road closures to leave the motorway."

A blazing tanker on the Chester bound carriageway of the M56 has closed the motorway in both directions.

The lorry is on the hard shoulder between J14 at Hapsford and Junction 15 at the M53 and a 1500 metres cordon has been set up.

Motorists within it are being evacuated from their vehicles and being moved to a safe distance.

Traffic is reportedly backed up from Daresbury and at a stand still.

Drivers have been getting out of their cars and walking up and down the motorway lanes to get a better look at the incident.

Police are advising drivers to avoid the area as both sides of the motorway remain closed.

Police say the propane tanker driver has NOT been injured

Chester bound traffic is being diverted via the Hollow Black Circle Symbol.

Runcorn bound traffic is via the Solid Black Diamond Symbol. On this route there is a height restriction of 14 foot 6inches and vehicles above this height will be held at a safe location.

AFFECTED AREA

This image from Google Maps gives a good indication of the affected areas- dark red shows traffic that is either very slow-moving or at a standstill.

Cheshire Fire has announced that trains have now been stopped on both the Manchester to Chester and Ellesmere Port to Helsby lines.

Air traffic control have been advised of the incident to make sure that air traffic is stopped over the area.

Nothing else to do but sunbathe....

http://twitter.com/davidlewis04/status/630766267411091457/photo/1

Thanks to David Lewis for the photo

Here's a round-up of what we know so far:

- Stretch of M56 closed after a propane tanker ignites on westbound carriageway between J12 at Clifton and J14 at Hapsford

- Rail services and air traffic stopped from passing the area

- Fire service have put in place a 1,500m cordon to protect motorists against explosion risk

- Drivers have been evacuated from their cars and moved to a safe distance

- Helsby residents being asked to stay indoors and keep windows closed

Cheshire police press office:

"Police are assisting Cheshire fire at the scene of a vehicle fire on the M56. The fire involves a HGV tanker which is believed to be carrying propane gas.

"As a result of the incident the M56 is currently closed in both directions between junctions 12 and 15.

"Officers have set up a 1,600m cordon around the incident and residents in the Helsby, Hapsford and Elton areas are advised to stay indoors with their windows and doors closed.

"In addition to the M56 the Liverpool to Runcorn train line is also closed. The closures are expected to remain in place for several hours so motorists are advised to avoid the area."

The Mersey Tunnel

The knock-on effects of the M56 issues are resulting in severe congestion in the Wallasey tunnel. We're waiting for some more guidance on diversion advice from police, but expect the M53 to bear the brunt.

M56 UPDATE - Apparently a lorry avoiding the M56 has hit a bridge in FRODSHAM blocking the A56....

UPDATE:

DIVERSION ROUTES BLOCKED BY LORRY HITTING BRIDGE

Confirmation on those earlier reports that a lorry had hit a bridge trying to avoid the M56.

Travel site Inrix states that reports suggest the diversion route is currently blocked by a lorry that has hit a railway bridge.

The A56 Chester Road is blocked in both directions blocked due to the bridge being struck by the vehicle between Howey Lane / Carriage Drive and Fountain Lane.

The advised diversion for Chester-bound traffic is via the Hollow Black Circle Symbol. Runcorn-bound traffic is via the Solid Black Diamond Symbol.

Inrix reports that on this route there is a height restriction of 14foot 6inches and vehicles above this height will be held at a safe location.

Story source: Liverpool Echo - Follow their Live updates