M6 reopens after serious crash involving motorbike

The motorway was shut in both directions between Junction 10a at Essington (for the M54) and Junction 11 at Shareshill due to the incident which happened on the northbound carriageway.

National Highways said at 10.44am that emergency service personnel including air ambulance crews were on the scene and National Highways traffic officers were in attendance to assist with traffic management.

Traffic was heavily delayed and the rearmost queueing vehicles were being turned around.

Motorists in the Walsall area reported heavy traffic on main roads including A34 Green Lane between Bloxwich and Walsall town centre.

In an update at about 3.15pm, National Highways said: "The road was initially closed in both directions, however the southbound carriageway was cleared and re-opened at approximately 3pm.

"Collision investigation is ongoing and the [northbound] road is expected to remain closed into the late afternoon."

At 4.25pm, National Highways said the northbound carriageway had reopened and delays would begin to ease.

Diversions

Road users travelling northbound are advised to follow the hollow circle diversion symbol on road signs:

• Exit M6, northbound, at M6, Junction 10A, by taking the link to M54, westbound.

• Continue on M54, westbound, to M54 Junction 2 (A449).

• Exit M54, westbound, at Junction 2 (A449), take 3rd, onto A449, northbound.

• Continue on A449, northbound, to A449/A5 Junction (Gailey Roundabout).

• At A449/A5 Junction (Gailey Roundabout), turn right (3rd exit), onto A5, eastbound.

• Continue on A5, eastbound, to M6, Junction 12.

• At M6, Junction 12, take 1st exit, onto M6 northbound. 

Those travelling southbound are advised to follow the solid diamond diversion symbol on road signs:

• Exit M6 Junction 11 Southbound, take 4th exit onto A460 Westbound.

• Continue on A460 Westbound M54 Junction 1, take 1st exit onto M54 Eastbound.

• Continue on M54 Eastbound to M6 Junction 10A.

• Exit M54 at M6 Junction 10A to re-join M6 southbound.