MOTORISTS heading towards Stoke and the M6 via the A500 faced long delays this afternoon (Friday) after a collision on the M6 and an earlier spillage.

The collision between a car and lorry southbound between junctions 17 and 16 of the motorway triggered long delays.

With lane closures between junctions 16 and 15, several miles of slow moving traffic built up and congestion was backing up to junction 17 at Sandbach.

Earlier National Highways said a spillage in the carriageway had forced the closure of the A500 from junction 16 at Barthomley to the A34 for Alsager on the D road, while maintenance crews were at the scene.

A Nub News staffer at the scene said the A500 was blocked (see picture) for motorists heading across the M6 towards the Potteries and Newcastle-Under-Lyme.