M61 and M53 CLOSED After Serious Crashes - Traffic Updates
Major motorway closures cause chaos as M61 and M53 shut after serious crashes involving police pursuit. Commuters warned to avoid areas.
Two major UK motorways remain closed this morning following serious collisions. The M61 is shut due to a 'serious' crash, while the M53 is closed after a police pursuit involving a suspected stolen motorbike resulted in a collision with a police vehicle. A man has been taken to hospital and drivers are being advised to seek alternative routes.
Breaking: M61 and M53 Motorways Closed Due to Serious Crashes
Commuters facing major disruption this morning as two of the North West's busiest motorways have been completely closed following serious collisions. The M61 and M53 are both shut down, with police warning that closures will remain in place for several hours.
M61 Closure: 'Serious' Crash Shuts Motorway
The M61, a key route connecting Manchester and Preston, has been closed in both directions due to what authorities describe as a "serious" crash. Emergency services are currently on scene at the incident location, where multiple vehicles are believed to have been involved.
Highways England has issued an urgent traffic warning, advising all drivers to avoid the area and seek alternative routes. The closure is expected to cause significant delays throughout the morning rush hour, with traffic queuing on surrounding A-roads as the incident is dealt with.
"We are urging commuters to check routes before traveling and to allow extra time for their journeys. The M61 is expected to remain closed for several hours while emergency services complete their investigations," said a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police.
M53 Incident: Police Pursuit Ends in Collision
Meanwhile, on the M53 near Wirral, the motorway remains closed following a dramatic incident involving a police car and a suspected stolen motorbike. Officers were pursuing the bike when the collision occurred, resulting in the road being immediately shut for investigation.
A man has been taken to hospital with injuries that are yet to be fully assessed. Merseyside Police are handling the investigation, with specialist officers examining the scene to determine exactly what happened during the pursuit.
What We Know So Far
Both motorway closures are being treated as serious incidents by respective police forces. The M61 closure is affecting traffic between Manchester and Lancashire, while the M53 shutdown is causing particular problems for commuters traveling between Chester and Liverpool.
Traffic monitoring systems show significant queuing on diversion routes, with drivers reporting journey times more than doubled for those attempting to use alternative roads. Local authorities are working to keep traffic moving on key diversion routes, but urge anyone who can to delay their journey or work from home if possible.
Advice for Commuters
Motorists are strongly advised to:
- Avoid the M61 and M53 corridors if possible
- Check traffic news before setting off
- Allow extra time for any essential journeys
- Follow official police and Highways England updates
For those traveling between Manchester and Preston, the M6 motorway is serving as the main alternative route, though this is also seeing increased traffic volumes. Similarly, the A55 coastal road is experiencing heavy congestion as drivers seek to bypass the M53 closure.
Investigation Underway
Both incidents remain under investigation. The police pursuit on the M53 will be subject to a review, as is standard procedure following any incident involving a police vehicle and member of the public.
Updates will be provided as more information becomes available from emergency services. Drivers are encouraged to monitor official traffic news sources and social media accounts of local police forces for the latest information on when these major routes might reopen.