Some Midlands questions for the new Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson MP

The Environment Agency is advising people to clean and disinfect boots and equipment.

Three lanes have reopened on the northbound side of the M6 in Staffordshire between J12 and J13.

But Highways England said drivers would be limited to 40mph, external and there are still long delays in the area.

It's not just car and lorry drivers who've been struggling to get moving on the M6 today in Staffordshire.

While the northbound side between J12 and J13 hasn't reopened yet to motorists, Highways England says it has escorted seven ambulances through this afternoon and has been "been working really closely with the emergency services" throughout the day

And hot off the press, Highways England says resurfacing work has been completed and three lanes should reopen in the next 30 minutes, in time for the afternoon commute - although under a reduced speed limit.

Image source, Highways England

Andy Giddings
BBC News

The contents of an 18th Century stately home in Shropshire are being sold at auction today.

They include paintings, furniture, ceramics and carpets - the total value of the 149 lots is thought to be up to £300,000.

Image source, John Perry

Mawley Hall, near Cleobury Mortimer, was bought by by multimillionaire hedge fund manager Christopher Rokos last year.

He has planning permission for a shooting lodge, tennis courts and a pavilion in the hall's grounds, along with permission to redevelop a number of out-buildings, restore gardens and create a new stable block.

Image source, John Perry

Highways England says it's aiming to get three lanes of the northbound M6 reopened "later this afternoon".

It said it had workers "planing" off the top surface of the damaged carriageway at the moment.

Image source, Highways England

It said when the work was complete, traffic would be able to drive over it, but only at speeds up to 40mph and a full road-resurfacing would take place this evening.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Drivers are continuing to face long delays on the M6 in the Staffordshire area following the motorway's complete closure earlier after a lorry crash.

Image source, Highways England

Highways England replied to one person, external, who tweeted that they had been "sat here since 07:00, external" that the queuing traffic wasn't caught between J12 and J13 but the "sheer volume of traffic trying to get off" the motorway.

Another Twitter user, @andrew_grainger, said he'd had to rebook a flight to Cyprus after being delayed on the M6. , external

While @AnjumRafiq urged drivers to avoid the route today as "been here for three hours at J11, external".

You've been getting in touch to tell us your views on the "M6 car park experience" (which sounds a pretty unenticing theme park pitch on Dragons' Den).

Stuart Roberts wrote: "Myself like many other doctors on rotation commute from Birmingham to Stoke and will not be able to get to the hospital today. Our colleagues are holding the fort. I’ve just passed seven hours in traffic and am nearly at Junction 12."

But still, he said spirits were good and added: "I’ve got water and found a stash of fruit pastilles. Trying to persuade a french lorry driver to donate some Brie to the cause with no success!"

Image source, Highways England

It's not just the motorway that's struggling to cope. Richard Hancher said surrounding lanes had been left gridlocked.

"My mother lives 2 miles from J12 and says it’s impossible to even get out of the house at the moment," he said.

Paul Degg suggested: "The problem today would of been massively improved if there had been a couple of policemen working to regulate traffic on the exit slip road."

Drivers on the northbound side of the M6 in Staffordshire are being warned the carriageway is going to stay shut for some time yet.

Image source, Highways England

Highways England reopened three lanes southbound between J13 and J12 just after 12:30,, external having shut the entire stretch of motorway at about 00:30 after the crash.

That's left the northbound side damaged and Highways England says all four lanes need to be resurfaced., external

The agent managing a house in Rugby that partially collapsed overnight said the tenants who were living there had been offered new accommodation.

Martin Pitcher from Life Investments Estate Agency said they'd been put up in a hotel in the meantime.

He also said he understood a developer had been "working on building a block of flats next door" and had been doing ground works to put in footings.

Facebook

This morning's crash on the M6 has opened up a debate on the BBC Midlands Facebook page, external.

With the HS2 high-speed rail line up to five years behind schedule and billions over original budget, Simon O'Neill asked: "Why don't they build a road instead of a railway?"

Others had more immediate concerns and Valerie Wilson wrote: "With all tech we have, pity you can't let people in queue know what has happened, so they do not get upset about the wait."

And James Maher suggested there were often problems with that stretch of motorway, writing: "Always the same junction and area - J12-J15."

BBC Sport

Warwickshire's Chris Woakes has been recalled to England's Ashes squad for the final Test.

He was dropped for the fourth Test, but returns along with left-arm bowler Sam Curran.

Image source, Getty Images

Craig Overton and Jason Roy are the two players to miss out for the test at The Oval.

England are looking to level the series at 2-2 and avoid their first home series defeat since 2001.

Here's how events unfolded this morning:

• A lorry hit the central reservation barrier between J12 and J13 at about 00:30
• The driver only suffered minor injuries, the ambulance service added, external, and he's been taken to hospital as a precaution
• The crash damaged the concrete barrier and caused fuel, radiator fluid and debris to be spread across both sides of the M6
• Highways England reopened three lanes southbound at about 12:30, but said the northbound side would stay shut for longer for resurfacing work
• Drivers have been diverted along the A449 and the A5, leading to long delays on roads around the M6

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council says John Bond has had several previous warnings.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Complaints that Highways England didn't give drivers enough of a warning about today's serious crash on the M6 in Staffordshire are being defended by the organisation.

Image source, Highways England

James Silson emailed the BBC to say he started his journey in Cumbria at 07:00 but didn't see any signs about taking a detour until Knutsford, Cheshire, and said he had "moved less than three miles in three hours" since then.

Twitter user @karlroberts75, external said he had driven south from Manchester but hadn't seen any warnings until J16 which "doesn't leave much option for alternative route".

But Highways England said, external it had set signs "as far as Cumbria, Blackpool including Manchester" and they advised drivers to avoid the area around the crash.

The gable end of the property in Claremont Road collapsed at about 02:00.

Worcester News

Here are three headlines from the Worcester News today:

• City amongst worst in UK for shop closures, external
• Woman sobs over sex abuse claim, external
• Drunk man played chicken with cars before exposing himself, external

Thanks to those stuck on the M6 today in Staffordshire who've been able safely to get in touch.

Craig Mitchell amused us by saying being stationary on the motorway had "given me time to finally read the entire works of Shakespeare and JK Rowling" but "sadly not enough time to read my Apple T&C’s".

While Meshak emailed to say he'd been stuck in the "M6 carpark experience" since 07:00, had run out of shortbread, drunk all the tea in his flask and was now trying to work out how to get a toilet break - although there was some relief thanks to "an empty Lucozade bottle which I found rolling underneath the passenger seat".

If you can safely let us know how you are coping on the M6 this afternoon, use this link to email us.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A 72-year-old market trader who has had a stall in Newcastle-under-Lyme since 1967 has been given a lifetime ban by the local council.

Newcastle Borough Council said it took the action after John Bond moved his stall without permission, putting him and his pet dog Nala next to a food stall.

The council said it had issued Mr Bond with warnings and a suspension, over his behaviour, but Mr Bond said: "I broke a couple of by-laws totally by accident.”

And he added: “It’s very sad after such a long time. It’s a sad day. When there’s a maximum seven or eight traders, how can they throw one off?”