The M56 eastbound stayed closed in Cheshire shortly before 6am on Monday after a serious collision and police-led incident. The closure covered the stretch between junction 14 for Chester Services and junction 12 for Runcorn, leaving drivers to follow diversion routes while emergency services worked at the scene.
Cheshire Police said the motorway was “currently closed eastbound following a serious collision between junction 12 (Runcorn) and 14 (Hapsford). Local diversions are in place, but delays are expected and motorists are urged to avoid the area.”
National Highways on M56
National Highways said the eastbound carriageway in Cheshire remained shut for a Cheshire Police-led collision investigation shortly before 6am. Its update said resources were in attendance to help with traffic management, and that the closure allowed emergency services to work at the scene.
The agency’s statement also said: “Update 3: M56 eastbound in Cheshire between J14 (Ellesmere Port) & J12 (Runcorn). - Remains closed for @cheshirepolice led incident collision investigations. - Currently no significant delays on approach.”
J14 and J12 closure
The closure began just after 1.30am on Monday, when the motorway was sealed off following a police incident. That left the eastbound route shut between J14 and J12 for several hours, with the affected stretch spanning the approach to Chester Services and the run toward Runcorn.
For motorists, the practical issue is not the collision itself but the blocked motorway section: traffic cannot use the eastbound carriageway between those junctions, so drivers have to rely on the diversion routes already in place. Cheshire Police warned of delays and asked road users to avoid the area entirely.
National Highways said there were currently no significant delays on approach shortly before 6am, while Cheshire Police said delays were expected. What caused the serious collision has not been stated, and the closure remained in place while the investigation continued.
