Imagine being stuck in traffic for an hour, your plans derailed, and frustration mounting as you inch forward at a snail’s pace. That’s the reality for drivers on the M62 today, where a crash and fuel spillage have brought the motorway to a near standstill. But here’s where it gets even more frustrating: the delays are stretching from Junction 26 at Chain Bar all the way to Junction 25 in Brighouse, and even spilling over to Junction 27 at Gildersome. According to traffic monitor Inrix, this chaos is causing travel times to skyrocket to around 60 minutes—a nightmare for anyone trying to get home or meet a deadline.
But here’s where it gets controversial: while Inrix reports severe delays and two lanes closed due to the accident and fuel spillage, the AA paints a slightly different picture, claiming delays are closer to 22 minutes with an average speed of just 10mph. So, which source should drivers trust? And this is the part most people miss: the discrepancy in reports highlights the challenges of real-time traffic monitoring and the frustration of relying on multiple sources for accurate updates.
Motorists have taken to social media to share photos of the gridlock, showing vehicles at a standstill as recovery work continues. National Highways Yorkshire initially warned of 50-minute delays, noting that lanes one and two westbound between Junction 26 (M606 turn) and Junction 25 (Brighouse) remain closed due to the collision and diesel spillage. West Yorkshire Police are on the scene, but the question remains: could this situation have been managed better?
As of the latest update, all lanes have reopened, and travel times have dropped to around 40 minutes, according to Inrix. However, the AA still reports delays of 22 minutes, leaving drivers wondering who’s got it right. Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: In an age of advanced technology, why do traffic updates still seem so inconsistent? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you think traffic monitoring systems need an overhaul, or is this just the nature of the beast?
Live updates to this breaking news story will appear below.
15:06 Andrew Robinson
All lanes are now open, but the aftermath of the chaos lingers. National Highways Yorkshire confirms that westbound traffic on the M62 is finally moving freely.
14:55 Andrew Robinson
Inrix reports travel times are down to 40 minutes, while the AA sticks to 22 minutes. Who’s closer to the truth? The debate continues.
14:53 Andrew Robinson
The AA’s social media update highlights severe delays of 22 minutes and an average speed of 10mph between Junction 27 (Gildersome) and Junction 25 (Brighouse). Is this a more realistic picture of the situation?
14:49 Andrew Robinson
Recovery work is still ongoing, with traffic cameras showing crews working to clear the scene. Progress is slow but steady.
14:37 Andrew Robinson
National Highways warns of 50-minute delays, emphasizing the need for extra travel time. Their update at 2:20 PM confirmed lanes one and two remain closed due to the collision and diesel spillage. West Yorkshire Police are on site, but the question remains: could more have been done to prevent such lengthy delays?