Introduction
M6 Remains Closed Near Haydock After Woman Died Earlier: The deceased was located on the M6 motorway, near Haydock in the North West of England, on Friday, January 16, 2026, sparking widespread disruption. The motorway was closed for almost 10 hours, causing heavy traffic jams both on the road and on the terminals, and general chaos among thousands of motorists.
What Happened on the M6 Near Haydock?
The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said that it was at 7:42am when officers were called when a concern for welfare was reported on the M6 near Haydock.
Emergency services quickly attended the scene, but the woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
It was close to the bridge on Downall Green Road, above the M6 southbound between Junctions 24 and 25, near Ashton-in-Makerfield.
Formal identification has not yet been completed, police said, but there is no suspicious circumstance in the death.
M6 Closure and Affected Junctions.
In response to the incident the National Highways closed the motorway in both directions immediately between:
- Junction 23 – Haydock/A580 East Lancashire Road
- Junction 26 – Orrell/M58 Interchange
The northbound entry slip at Junction 23 was also closed, as was local access from Downall Green Road.
The motorway was closed for much of the day, although the northbound lane was open for a while at about 4pm. By about 6pm (9 hours after the initial emergency call) full access was restored in both directions.
Traffic was causing serious congestion all over North West England.
Commuters, freight and holidaymakers across the region were severely affected by the closure.
National Highways reported:
| Direction | Delay Time | Congestion |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 60 minutes and five miles northbound. | ||
| Around 30 minutes | Four miles Southbound |
Alternative routes such as the M61 and M58 were also also overrun as motorists tried to find alternative routes to avoid the closure.
Authorities diverted vehicles from the impacted stretch of the motorway with official routes, and turned them around.
The official diversion and travel advice is included.Official diversions and travel advice are included.
Drivers were given directions to use alternate routes, such as:
- M58 motorway
- A570 Rainford Bypass
- Haydock and Wigan local signed diversions
Greater Manchester Police advised motorists to consider travel plans and be patient while emergency services investigate.
At first, National Highways had stated there was no timescale to when the road could be reopened due to the nature of the incident and because of enquiries.
Police Investigation and Witness Appeal.
The Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) is now investigating the incident.
Police are on the lookout for:
- Witnesses that witnessed the incident.
- Anyone who may have impacted on something on the road.
- Vehicles containing dashcam.
- Businesses or residents that are near by and have recorded with CCTV.
Anyone with information can contact SCIU directly on 0161 856 4741, quoting log 528 of 16/01/2025. Crimestoppers (0800 555 111) can also be used to provide information anonymously.
Impact on Business and Tourism Travel
The M6 motorway is one of the busiest roads in the UK and is an important route between London, the North West of England and Scotland.
The closing led to substantial delays for:
- Freight and logistics companies.
- Business travelers who travel for meetings.
- Those travelling to Liverpool, Manchester and Wigan.
- Tourists travelling to destinations such as the Lake District and Peak District.
Many drivers were forced to spend extended periods of time on the road, as there were few alternative means of transport along the M6.
The response of the police and the public.Police statement and public response.
A spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Police said:
Unfortunately a female was killed instantly on the scene, but there is not thought to be any suspicious circumstances, a formal identification has not yet been carried out.
Police also congratulated motorists for their patience, saying:
We appreciate your patience while enquiries have been ongoing, we understand this will have caused severe disruption,” we would like to thank members of the public.
Conclusion
The incident is a warning of how quickly events can happen on the M6 near Haydock that will disrupt travel across the North West and have a knock-on effect for businesses, commuters and tourists alike.