Serious Crash Shuts M6 Motorway Northbound Between Junction 6–7

A major collision on the M6 motorway in the West Midlands has forced the closure of all northbound lanes between Junction 6 (Birmingham) and Junction 7 (Great Barr) in the early hours of Monday, 26 January 2026, prompting severe traffic disruption and long delays for motorists, authorities confirmed this morning.

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The M6, one of the United Kingdom’s most important arterial routes linking the Midlands with northern England and Scotland, was effectively brought to a standstill after emergency responders rushed to the scene following the overnight crash.

West Midlands Police, the West Midlands Ambulance Service, and National Highways teams were on the scene early Monday to manage the incident.

Due to the serious nature of the collision, the entire northbound carriageway was closed while emergency crews conducted rescue operations, cleared debris, and began barrier repairs.

While the southbound carriageway reopened by about 6:30 a.m. local time, the northbound exit slip road at Junction 7 remained closed to allow safety works to continue.

National Highways advised motorists that the closure could be prolonged as investigations and necessary repairs proceed.

At this stage, details regarding the exact number of vehicles involved and whether there are any casualties have not been officially released by authorities.

Police have urged drivers to monitor official traffic updates before planning travel through the area.

The closure triggered significant rush-hour disruption, with traffic building up for miles as motorists sought alternative routes.

The M6 is a critical corridor for commuters, freight transport, and long-distance travel, meaning even short closures can ripple widely across the regional road network.

Motorists caught in the disruption reported long delays during early morning commuting hours, and traffic management teams recommended that drivers either delay journeys or use local diversion routes where possible until the motorway is fully reopened.

National Highways has deployed diversion signage directing traffic off the M6 and onto local A-roads as part of efforts to relieve congestion. Road users were encouraged to:

• Allow additional travel time
• Follow official road diversion signs
• Avoid the area entirely if feasible
• Check live traffic feeds before departure

Officials emphasised that patience and caution remain crucial as repair and recovery work continues on the northbound carriageway.

The M6 motorway is among the UK’s busiest, with tens of thousands of vehicles daily; it has historically been the site of significant delays and high-profile collisions, including multi-vehicle incidents that have previously closed stretches of the route for hours or even days.

This latest closure underscores ongoing challenges in managing a major motorway network, particularly when incidents occur during peak travel periods or under adverse weather conditions that can amplify risk.