M6 delays in West Midlands after diesel spillage from lorry

Diesel came from the lorry after its fuel tank split

Part of the M6 motorway is closed after more than 200 litres of diesel spilled from a lorry across the carriageway.

The spillage closed the northbound carriageway between junction nine for Wednesbury and junction 11 at Cannock for several hours.

The section has reopened but two of its five lanes remain shut while the remaining spillage is treated, National Highways said.

Drivers approaching the area were told to expect delays of more than an hour.

The two closed lanes will remain shut for the rest of the day due to being damaged, and National Highways said a full overnight closure would be needed to repair them.

Part of the M54 has also been closed, which is causing further problems.

The closure has led to long tailbacks

The agency said the M54 was closed westbound between its junction with the M6 and junction one for Wolverhampton.

The diesel spilled after the lorry's fuel tank split. A machine called a hydroblaster was brought in to clean the road surface.