Motorways closed in crash chaos

Midland motorways were in chaos today after two accidents closed both the M6 and the M54.

All three lanes of the southbound M6 between junction seven at Great Barr and junction six at Spaghetti Junction were closed for more than two hours after a car with a trailer attached to the back overturned.

And on the M54, both eastbound carriageways were blocked after a van burst into flames.

The accidents caused long queues on the motorways and heavy congestion on surrounding roads.

Tailbacks on the M6 stretched back eight miles as far as junction nine at Wednesbury. The accident happened at around 4am and the carriageway was not reopened until 6.30am, causing misery for the start of the rush hour. Nobody was injured in the accident.

Highways Agency spokesman Nathan Wallis, said: "Straight after the accident we had to have all lanes closed to allow recovery.

"As soon as were able to move it to the hard shoulder we were able to open it."

On the M54, both lanes at junction two in Staffordshire were temporarily closed at around 7.45am, causing delays for commuters heading south.

Wolverhampton-based secretary Claire Hancox, aged 35, of Telford, who was caught up in the hold-ups caused by the fire said: "I tried to get on at junction four at Telford but the queues were really bad. I ended up taking an alternative route through Shifnal and got on later at junction three."

The carriageway was fully re-opened at 8.55am.