Chaos after lorry spill on the M6
A lorry carrying thousands of metal filings shed its load on the M6 today, leading to long queues in Staffordshire and the Black Country.
Traffic was left stretching back beyond the M6 Toll junction after all three lanes of the southbound carriageway were blocked up after the skip transporter was forced to swerve to avoid a car at around 8am.
Although the truck did not overturn, it shed its load causing other drivers to swerve to dodge the falling metal.
The M6 was shut between Junction 9 at Wednesbury and 10 at Walsall after the metal scattered across the carriageway.
Traffic queued for more than two miles, beyond Junction 11 at Cannock.
There was also a knock-on effect with congestion on surrounding routes.
The A460 into Cannock was busy and the Gailey Island near Junction 12 where it meets the A449 became jammed.
Wolverhampton Road, which leads from Walsall town centre to Junction 10, was also busy.
There were also delays on the Keyway.
