A CARRIAGEWAY of the M56 was closed following a serious collision this afternoon, Thursday.

The crash occurred eastbound between junction 10 for the A49 Tarporley Road at Stretton and junction nine for the M6 at Lymm Interchange.

It is reported that three cars and a lorry are involved, with emergency services and traffic officers from National Highways on the scene.

An air ambulance has also attended, with a woman being taken to hospital after being extracted from a vehicle by firefighters.

Congestion stretches back more than 11 miles to junction 14 for Chester Services and Helsby, with travel time in excess of an hour on top of normal journey times.

There was also a lane-three closure on the westbound carriageway to allow a safe working area for emergency services and the landing of the air ambulance.

All lanes westbound have now reopened, however there is four miles of congestion and traffic is slow due to onlookers.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that six fire engines attended from Lymm, Warrington and Penketh fire stations, as well as assistance from colleagues in Greater Manchester.

One person was trapped in a hatchback, with fire crews removing the roof of the car to enable the casualty to be extricated.

North West Ambulance Service paramedics have assessed the drivers of other vehicles, including a transit van and the HGV.

The road was closed eastbound at around 2.55pm, with a diversion in place taking traffic through Appleton Thorn towards Lymm Interchange.

But this is causing heavy delays on other routes in south Warrington, including the A56 Chester Road, Hatton Lane, London Road, Stretton Road and Grappenhall Lane.

The M6 is also busy heading southbound due to a broken-down vehicle at junction 19 for Knutsford and Northwich at Tabley.

A spokesman for National Highways said: “If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time.

“Plan ahead – you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.”