M54 drivers suffer huge delays after lorry crashes
Friday 11th November 2011, 10:59AM GMT.
A lorry jackknifed across the M54 on the outskirts of Telford, smashing through the central reservation and leaving drivers caught up in huge tailbacks.
The motorway was partially closed in both directions after the accident last night.
One lane in each direction was still closed as drivers made their way to work today. The Scania lorry and trailer was left on its side between junctions 5 at Telford and 6 for Ketley.
Four fire crews, from Wellington, Tweedale and Telford, raced to the scene to deal with a fuel spillage.
Officials from the Central Motorway Police Group and the Highways Agency were also called but no-one was understood to be trapped in the incident which happened just before 7.30pm.
A spokesman for Shropshire Fire and Rescue service confirmed an environmental pod was also sent to deal with the fuel spill.
Officials set up a diversion via the exit and entry slip roads and the AA reported delays of up to 15 minutes. The cause of the accident is still unknown.
Kevin Picken, of the Central Motorway Police Group, said: “A HGV with trailer had jackknifed across the M54 motorway and was left across its side over lanes one and two westbound and partially over the central reservation. Lane two eastbound was also closed.”
Paul Crumpton, force duty inspector for West Mercia Police, said: “The lorry lay across the central reservation and they used the slip road to keep the traffic flowing as well as possible.”
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