How do you fix a problem like the M6?
PLUS: Nervous Tories make the jump to Reform UK ahead of elections
Hello and welcome to The Lancashire Lead.
This week we focus on the stretch of motorway that seldom has a day away from the news - the M6 at Preston.
A crash on Monday closed the M6 for 18 hours - and brought the Preston and South Ribble road network to a halt.
Solving the problem of the M6 isn’t easy or straightforward - if it was every politician would be making promises about it.
But there are a number of things - at various levels of cost and difficulty to implement - that can be done.
We explore what the future could hold for the M6 in today’s issue.
Bridges, speed limits, bikes and police: What can actually be done about the M6?
By Ed Walker & Luke Beardsworth
A serious and disruptive crash on the M6 appears to have finally sparked conversation about how to deal with the problem constructively.
Areas of Preston and South Ribble are notorious for how congested they become if there is an incident on the M6 at peak travel times.
The M6 between junction 32 and 30 is a particularly busy stretch of motorway and any incident that does happen can have a a significant effect on the road network.
Monday was an extreme example - an 18-hour closure north of junction 31 that once again had Preston screaming “can nobody drive properly?”
It’s a sign of how frustrating this issue - which would be close to the top of most drivers’ list of priorities - is that there was no suggestion anyone was at fault when a HGV ploughed through the central reservation.
The Lancashire Lead understands the driver of the vehicle suffered a medical episode. The carriageway required a full resurface as a result of a diesel spillage.
But congestion on central Lancashire’s key roads is now a familiar sight and it’s not unusual for ten minute journeys to take over an hour when this happens.
In the wake of the incident on Monday, Labour’s Sir Mark Hendrick, MP for Preston, called on the government to take action.
He wants a lower speed limit to be introduced on the stretch between junction 31 and junction 33 - measures that would doubtless be controversial themselves but something that would certainly lower the number of accidents.
And he also wants a serious conversation to take place about the construction of a new bridge from Penwortham to Lea to ensure that an alternative route to ease congestion is available, connecting the Penwortham by-pass to the Preston Western Distributor. That was costed at around £250m in 2017.
But the idea would would likely be popular - and nothing summed up the frustration more on Monday than people breaking out Microsoft Paint to show how the bridge would look.
Safety comes first - National Highways give their verdict
The motorways and their maintenance are the responsibility of National Highways - a government-owned company who operate, maintain and improve motorways.
We approached National Highways for a response on the events this week on the M6 and also to ask whether anything could be done.
A spokesperson for National Highways told The Lancashire Lead: “Safety is our priority. The collision of an HGV with the central barrier on the M6 on Monday between junctions 31a and 32 northbound caused significant damage to all four lanes of the carriageway due to a fuel spillage and to the central barrier.
"The M6 northbound, and lane 4 southbound, therefore remained closed overnight until the resurfacing work and repairs to the barrier were safely completed.”
We also put to them whether better street lighting was needed on the M6 at Preston - as it had been raised by readers and those on social media.
They pointed out street lighting had been turned off between Junction 30 and Junction 32 for several years - with no adverse increase in collisions. And the section between Junction 26 and 29 had seen lighting switched off between midnight and 5am since 2010.
A spokesperson for National Highways added: “Safety is our top priority, and we regularly review safety on our roads. This includes the provision of lighting. Since 2007 we have been applying new standards following a review of the safety benefits of lighting across our network. The review concluded that while lighting can contribute to road safety in some circumstances, its widespread use on the network is not justified in safety terms.
"We retain lighting where it provides a worthwhile safety benefit but switch it off or remove it when the cost of providing lighting would have a greater safety benefit elsewhere. We do this when existing lighting reaches the end of its serviceable life, and we need to take a decision about whether to renew it. Some lighting at junctions is required and will be retained as a matter of course, in any event.”
National Highways declined to comment on other issues raised in Sir Mark Hendrick's letter, saying it was a matter for the Department for Transport to address.
‘No amount of improvements could cater for volume of traffic’
Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth at Lancashire County Council, said: "We very much sympathise with road users who have been caught up in the traffic problems caused by the motorway closing.
"Given the amount of traffic that uses the local motorway network, the reality is that no amount of local highway improvements could completely cater for the volume of traffic that is diverted onto local roads when a motorway closes at peak hours.
"On a day-to-day basis, we're working hard to alleviate the increasing demands on Preston's roads including utilising the latest technology, such as the use of AI and smart traffic lights, that will help us to predict, manage and respond quicker and more effectively to changes in traffic flows across our road network.
"The last decade has also seen considerable investment in Preston and South Ribble's transport network, including the £207m Edith Rigby Way and William Young Way to the west of the city, the £32m James Towers Way bypassing Broughton and the £17m John Horrocks Way bypassing Penwortham, as well as £25m of dualling and junction improvements to the A582 connecting the M6/M61/M65 motorways with the city centre.
"Another £65m of investment is planned to deliver further improvements to junctions on the A582 serving the motorway and key employment sites at Cuerden and Farington Business Park.
"We've also recently secured £27.1million to improve bus services as well as investing in cycling and walking provision, to widen travel choices across the area and relieve the increasing demands on local roads.
"The creation of the new Lancashire Combine Authority also brings new opportunities. A new Local Transport Plan for the area will direct transport investment, which could include investment in heavy and light rail, our bus network, major improvements to Lancashire's motorways and major roads, as well as work to support of a new crossing of the River Ribble at Preston, which is something that has been a long held ambition for many decades."
Policing?
Asked about whether increased police patrols were needed on the stretch of the M6 running near Preston, a Lancashire Police spokesperson said: "While we would never comment on specific patrol plans, the public should be reassured that we always have a specially trained road policing presence on the Lancashire motorway network and shift resources to where demand requires at any one time. We also have pre-planned operations to proactively target criminals utilising the motorway networks and to ensure road users are adhering to legal vehicle requirements.
"We appreciate that it can be incredibly frustrating for road users when a closure is put in place on the motorway, and the impact it has on surrounding routes which often are overwhelmed by the increased traffic flow.
"When collisions take place on any road network, our priority is always to preserve life and investigate the cause. If we shut the motorway, it’s for an immediate public safety concern. At the earliest opportunity a police closure is reinforced and then taken over by National Highways or Lancashire County Council, releasing the motorway police officers to other aspects of the incident or investigation."
An open letter had been circulated on social media aimed at Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw calling for him to step in and increase patrols on the M6.
The open letter, from regular M6 motorist John Keen, called on improved policing on the stretch of the M6 at Preston and more support when there are motorway closures on the city's major A-roads.
In response, Mr Grunshaw told The Lancashire Lead: "I fully appreciate concerns raised by the public and, like everyone who uses our roads, I share the frustration caused by recent road closures and diversions, especially on major routes like the M6, resulting in unacceptable congestion across the road network.
"There are a range of partners that are all members of the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership and together have important roles in ensuring road safety and managing the effects of accidents.
"The Constabulary, like all services, have a finite amount of resources, with patrols continuing to be needed across the county. However, I will continue to invest in the force's dedicated road policing unit and road crime teams to help keep Lancashire's roads moving, to stop those who endanger other road users, and to respond effectively to collisions."
‘Errant drivers’
A former police officer who patrolled Lancashire motorways for years believes the main cause of accidents today is ‘errant drivers’ and that speeding is ‘rife’ because of a lack of police.
Paul Brooks, from Bamber Bridge, said today’s motorways are not policed properly because of police force financial pressures. And today’s Highways Agency officers represent ‘policing on the cheap’ with few real powers.
He was speaking regarding the M65 specifically which can escape the same level of conversation and scrutiny because crashes don’t have the same impact on the wider road network.
However, Mr Brooks also believes the loss of lighting on the M65, ‘inadequate drainage’ and a mix of two and three-lane sections are concerns too.
Swap the car?
Preston Pedals is a group which works to encourage cycling in and around the city.
Julie Ridley, one of the team behind Pedals, said: "Traffic gridlock in Preston caused by incidents on the M6 not only worsens the already high levels of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from cars but also contributes to the growing sense that our city isn’t safe for cyclists or pedestrians.
"When cities are designed around car use for daily commutes and public transport options are limited, incidents like those on the M6—becoming an all too regular occurrence — only add to the frustration felt by everyone. While other major cities have implemented special bus lanes to help buses navigate through busy periods, this recent disruption saw some passengers stuck on buses for hours.
"At Preston Pedals, we're working to encourage people to swap short car trips—especially those under 2-3 miles—for cycling. Alongside improving bus services in the city, this shift could significantly ease congestion, improve air quality, and make a meaningful dent in reducing the city’s environmental impact, all while fostering a safer, more accessible environment for active travel."
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Lancashire has its first Reform UK councillors as Tories defect
By Paul Faulkner
Lancashire County Council has its first Reform UK members after two Conservative backbenchers defected in the space of a week.
Matthew Salter and Ged Mirfin made the switch with less than two months to go until local elections to the authority.
They will both contest their current seats for their new party at the county poll on 1st May.
County Cllr Salter, who represents the Wyre Rural Central division, quit the Tories on Monday. He said he made the move because “the political establishment has become totally out of touch with the concerns of ordinary people.
He added: “Neither Labour nor the Conservatives can be trusted to listen to the electorate or tackle the long term issues facing our country, from the economy to immigration and the lack of opportunities for young people.
County Cllr Mirfin said his change of allegiance came amid growing disillusionment with the Tories at a national level – along with some elements of the party in Lancashire.
“I have not done this lightly,” he said in a statement.
“[I am concerned] the Conservative Party has entered into a death spiral and is currently led by the worst leader, in Kemi Badendoch, since IDS [Iain Duncan Smith] following four poor leaders – Liz Truss [who] crashed the economy…Rishi Sunak [who] hiked taxes to breaking point…Teresa May who made a mess of Brexit and Boris Johnson who ran a chaotic administration.”
County Cllr Mirfin – who was a Ribble Valley borough councillor between 2011 and 2023 – also hit out at what he claims has been “hurtful” treatment by his local Conservative Association, criticising a small group of individuals whom he says “sought very deliberately to get rid of me”.
“The attitude of the association leaves a very bad taste in the mouth and reflects very poorly on the Conservative Party,” he added.
While praising the personal qualities of the Conservative leadership at County Hall, with whom he says he has “worked closely”, he criticised the county council’s focus in recent years on securing a devolution deal.
“Concentrating on the combined authority deal to the exclusion of everything else means the achievements cupboard after four years looks threadbare. The combined [county] authority is now holed below the water line by local government reform [government plan to slash the number of councils in the county],” said County Cllr Mirfin, who was elected to the authority in 2021.
Alan Vincent, deputy leader of the Conservative group on Lancashire County Council said in response to his former colleague’s defection: “Ged was obviously unhappy that he was not reselected by his association and I was personally surprised that he chose to run for Reform whose views on a number of issues – particularly green issues – seem to be at odds with his political beliefs.
“But it’s been apparent that Reform are desperate to have at least some experience at County Hall as they don’t have any.”
“Devolution and local government reform, far from being a distraction, are the most important issues for the residents of Lancashire. Politicians who don’t recognise that, or have no experience of handling huge budgets or complex relationships, are frankly dangerous,” County Cllr Vincent said.
The Ribble Valley Conservative Association was approached for comment.
Thank you for reading The Lancashire Lead this week. We hope you enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
Luke, Ed, Jamie, Sophie and all the team.