Three fire engines were called to the scene.

12:44, Thu, Jun 25, 2026 Updated: 12:44, Thu, Jun 25, 2026

Traffic on the M56

Traffic on a stretch of the M56 (Image: NATIONAL HIGHWAYS)

A car fire has prompted severe delays on a major motorway on Thursday, as a heatwave rages across England and Wales. Two out of three lanes were shut down westbound on June 25 following the incident between J11 A56 Chester Road (Preston Brook) and J12 A557 (Runcorn).

The incident was first reported around 10.15am, according to the AA Roadwatch. The AA reports severe delays of 49 minutes, with traffic increasing on the M56 Westbound between J10 A49 Tarporley Road (Stretton) and J12 A557 (Runcorn), and average speeds of 5MPH, the Echo reports.

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Car fire causes major disruption

A car fire has caused major disruption on the M56, with two lanes closed on the westbound carriageway.

The incident happened between Junction 11 for the A56 Chester Road at Preston Brook and Junction 12 for the A557 at Runcorn.

It was first reported at around 10.15am on Thursday, June 25, according to AA Roadwatch.

We will bring you more updates as they arrive.

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