The impact of Storm Isha has taken its toll on the M6 in Cumbria today (22 January), where two overturned lorries have created long delays, and on the A66, between Scotch Corner and the M6, where high winds have forced National Highways to close the road.
According to National Highways, parts of the M6 are currently closed due to recovery work of overturned lorries caused by high winds created by Storm Isha, which hit the UK last night, bringing wind gusts of up to 100mph.
At 3.30pm today (22 January) National Highways messaged on X (formerly Twitter): ”The #M6 in #Cumbria remains closed northbound between J43 & J44 (#Carlisle) to allow for two overturned lorries to be recovered.”
It added that there were ”still very long delays both on the approach to the closure and also on the diversion route” and warned drivers to ”allow plenty of extra journey time this afternoon”.
Earlier National Highways had temporarily stopped traffic on the M6 southbound between J44 (Carlisle) and J43 whilst the second overturned lorry was righted.
Road users are advised to follow the Hollow Circle diversion symbol on road signs.
High winds have also resulted in the closure of part of the A66. At 4pm today National Highways messaged; ”The #A66 remains closed in both directions to all vehicles between #ScothCorner and the #M6 as a result of strong winds.”
It added: “We have no estimate as to when the road will re-open at this stage as wind speeds remain high” and said diversion routes are in operation.
The high winds, which reached over 100 miles an hour in Scotland last night and averaged speeds of 70 mph inland across the country, also saw the closure of the Tay Road Bridge, and the M48 Severn Bridge.
The Met Office is warning that a new weather front, named Storm Jocelyn, is set to hit the country on Tuesday.
