Police launch enquiries after 'serious collision' on major road as motorists face long delays

Motorists are facing huge delays this morning following an accident on a major road in the North West of England.

The A66 in Cumbria is closed in both directions between the A6 (Penrith) and A685 (Brough) due to a serious collision.

Cumbria Police are leading the response to the accident, with National Highways being made aware of the accident shortly before 5.30am.

The large stretch of the A66 has been closed to "ensure the safety of the emergency services" who have responded to the accident.

National Highways has warned that there are long delays on the A66 in both directions as full traffic management closures are still being established.

Any vehicles approaching the scene of the collision are being diverted away using local routes.

At present, traffic maps from National Highways suggest that the event is expected to clear between 10.15am and 10.30am.

Normal traffic conditions are expected to return at a similar time, although this estimate could change as the investigations continue.

Cumbria Police has only requested assistance with traffic management so far, with National Highways setting up a diversion route for eastbound and westbound traffic.

The transport organisation said protracted closures are likely, given the seriousness of the collision.

It noted that investigations led by Cumbria Police are continuing at the scene, with no estimate on when the work will be completed.

Further enquiries will take place, although the timings will depend on the complexity and scale of the scene.

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Posting on social media site X, Cumbria Police said: "Police are dealing with a serious RTC on the A66 at Kirkby Thore. The road is currently closed in both directions. Please avoid the area and find alternate routes to travel this morning."

National Highways confirmed that it was working closely with Cumbria Police and all other emergency services involved in the response.

It stated that it was working to ensure the road is opened as quickly and safely as possible.

A diversion route has been set up, although vehicles taller than 14 feet and six inches are being advised to divert via the A69 because of a low bridge.

Road users travelling westbound are advised to follow the solid triangle on road signs

• Exit the A66 at the A685 Brough junction
• Join the A685 southwards to Kirkby Stephen and westwards to Tebay
• Join M6 at Jct. 38 (Tebay) and proceed north to J40 (Penrith) to re-join A66
• Re-join the A66 east or westbound at J40 to continue your journey

Road users travelling eastbound are advised to follow the solid square diversion route symbol

• Leave the A66 eastbound at M6 J40 and join the southbound carriageway towards Tebay
• At the M6 J38 (Tebay), leave the M6 southbound and join the A685 heading north east towards Kirkby Stephen
• Follow the A685 back to the A66 eastbound at Brough and re-join the A66 eastbound to continue your journey