Traffic Chaos in the Potteries Amid A500 and M6 Closures

Motorists in the Potteries are experiencing significant disruptions during rush hour as the A500 northbound has been shut down. The closure stretches between Wolstanton Retail Park and Basford roundabout, causing traffic to grind to a halt. This development is compounding the chaos on the roads, as the northbound section of the M6 between junctions 15 and 16 had also been closed following an accident involving a car and a lorry.

According to the traffic monitoring service Inrix, the A500 closure is due to a ‘shed load’, which has resulted in extensive delays extending back to Hanford. The congestion is further exacerbated by the impact of the earlier M6 closure, which has led to significant traffic build-up along the A34 around Trentham and Hanford.

National Highways confirmed that although the M6 had reopened shortly after 4 PM, one lane remains shut, with a reported six miles of congestion and delays lasting up to two hours. Traffic updates continue to be provided as the situation unfolds.

Elsewhere, severe flooding and adverse weather conditions have caused disruptions across various transportation networks in the UK. The A49 in Shropshire is closed in both directions due to flood waters, with traffic being diverted to local roads. Train services throughout Wales and other regions have faced delays, cancellations, and route diversions. These disruptions are primarily affecting services such as the Transport for Wales network, ScotRail, and Great Western Railway.

Adding to the transportation woes, passengers using the Elizabeth line can celebrate its recent accolade as the winner of the 2024 Riba Stirling Prize for the finest architecture in the UK. The president of RIBA, Muyiwa Oki, lauded the line as a “triumph in architect-led collaboration” and a pioneering model for civic infrastructure.