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M6 Traffic

M6 Junctions 21A to 32

1Accidentsreported on the M6 — see details4Roadworks activelive on the M6 right now — see details48Plannedscheduled on the M6 — see details

Live M6 traffic data from National Highways · updated 00:47 Mon 5 Oct 2026

M6

Map of M6 Junctions 21A to 32: Wigan to Preston

This is section 5 of our eight-part map of the M6: junctions 21A to 32, Wigan to Preston. It covers about 27 miles of motorway and 13 junctions, passing Warrington, Newton-le-Willows, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, Leyland and Preston.

Motorways that join or leave the M6 in this section: M62 at junction 21A; M58 at junction 26; M65 at junction 29; M61 at junction 30; M55 at junction 32.

Services in this section: Charnock Richard services (between J27 and J28); Lancaster (Forton) services (between J32 and J33).

The busiest stretch the Department for Transport counts in this section is the one it labels J30 to J31, with 171,079 vehicles a day in 2025.

The road on the map is coloured by the live traffic flow speed, the same data as our live M6 traffic flow map. Choose northbound or southbound above the map. Tap any junction number to open that junction’s own page.

← Section 4: J16–J21ABack to the whole M6Section 6: J32–J36 →
50 mph +30–49 mphunder 30 mphno live reading
Map of the M6 from junction 21A to junction 32 Hindley Leigh Atherton Tyldesley Gregson Lane Walton-le-Dale Andertons Mill Lowton St Helens Darwen Whittle le Woods Clayton-le-Woods Clayton Green Clayton Brook Barton Woodplumpton Catforth Buckshaw Village Prescot Whiston Billinge Moss Bank Carr Mill Eaves New Longton Cadishead Fowley Common Goosnargh Adlington Heath Charnock Horwich Bamber Bridge Brindle Coupe Green Hoghton Bamfurlong Bryn Downall Green Shevington Haydock Garswood Earlestown Burtonwood Collins Green Charnock Richard Orrell Winwick New Gate Longridge Mellor Brook Grimsargh Balderstone Wheelton Croston Eccleston Mawdesley Bispham Green Wrightington Parbold Appley Bridge Midge Hall Whitestake Euxton Newburgh Gathurst Upholland Far Moor Dalton Lostock Hall Westhoughton Astley Low Green Edge Green Golborne Town of Lowton Lane Head Abram Platt Bridge Kenyon Warburton Culcheth Hollins Green Glazebrook Farington Moss Coppull North Ashton Partington Croft Newton-le-Willows Ashton-in-Makerfield Standish Higher Walton Samlesbury Preston Broughton Blackburn Wigan Skelmersdale Leyland Chorley Penwortham Haslam Park Nature Reserve (nature reserve) Tawd Vale Scout Camp (camp site) Harris Museum (museum) Chapel Lane Meadow (nature reserve) Museum of Lancashire (museum) Brockholes Nature Reserve (nature reserve) The Maze (attraction) Bibbys Farm Scout Camp (camp site) British Commercial Vehicle Museum (museum) North West Museum of Road Transport (museum) Trencherfield Mill (attraction) Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Biological Heritage Site (nature reserve) Moor Park (attraction) Astley Hall (museum) Gulliver's World (theme park) Home Farm Caravan Site (caravan site) The Orwell at Wigan Pier (attraction) SBI (nature reserve) Sherdley Road Caravan Site (caravan site) Royal Umpire (caravan site) Worden Park (attraction) World of Glass (museum) Rixton Claypits Local Nature Reserve (nature reserve) Hic Bibi (nature reserve) Penwortham Residential Park (caravan site) Fishwick Bottoms Nature Reserve (nature reserve) Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss National Nature Reserve (nature reserve) Ribble Steam Railway (museum) Ribble Steam Railway (attraction) Grimsargh Wetlands (nature reserve) Longton Brickcroft Nature Reserve (nature reserve) Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss National Nature Reserve (nature reserve) Longton Brickcroft Nature Reserve (nature reserve) Primrose Cottage Camping (camp site) Museum of Wigan Life (museum) Stable Block to Astley Hall (attraction) Brockholes Visitor Village (attraction) Wild Wings Birds of Prey (zoo) Merseyside Scouts County HQ (camp site) Oakfield Fishery Caravan Park (caravan site) Rufford Old Hall (attraction) Charity Farm Caravan & Camping Park (camp site) Bofors gun emplacement and attached pillbox (attraction) Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss National Nature Reserve (nature reserve) Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss National Nature Reserve (nature reserve) Bridge Warehouse (attraction) South Ribble Museum & Exhibition Centre (museum) Astley Park (attraction) Hope Carr Nature Reserve (nature reserve) Greenbank Farm (caravan site) Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss National Nature Reserve (nature reserve) Cedar Farm (attraction) Bridge Farm Rainford (camp site) Yarrow Valley Country Park (attraction) Haigh Woodland Park (attraction) Desperado Drop (attraction) Apache Falls (attraction) Veteran Cars (attraction) RAF Burtonwood Heritage Centre (museum) Mad Hatter's Tea Party (attraction) Lightning XS921 (replica) (attraction) Yarrow Valley Country Park (attraction) Longfold Farm Campsite (camp site) Smuggler's Boating School (attraction) Gully's Grand Prix (attraction) Ellie's Animal Merry Go Round (attraction) The Galleons (attraction) Sky Tours Observation Tower (attraction) The Hatchery (attraction) Dino Encounters (attraction) Jeep Safari (attraction) Moon Buggies (attraction) Overdrive (attraction) Haunted Mansion (attraction) Gilly's Princess Ride (attraction) Holly Bank Caravan Park (camp site) Centurion Tank (attraction) Amazing Novelty-Orium & Mechanical Museum (museum) Billy Bob's Bi-Planes (attraction) Starlight Theatre (attraction) Gully's Express Railroad (attraction) Tractor Ride (attraction) Togo Tower (attraction) Dodgems (attraction) Carousel (attraction) Pirate Cove (attraction) Pirate Ship (attraction) Antelope (attraction) The Wriggler (attraction) Log Flume (attraction) Temple Raider (attraction) Jurassic Jeeps (attraction) Gully Town (attraction) Flight of the Pteranodon (attraction) Safari Swings (attraction) Adventure Canyon (attraction) Dino Encounter (attraction) Leigh Town Hall Archives (museum) Multisol (attraction) F35 Lightning II (replica) (attraction) Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry Museum (museum) Lancashire Infantry Museum (museum) J1 J2 J3 J3A J4 J4A J5 J6 J7 J8 J9 J10 J10A J11 J11A J12 J13 J14 J15 J16 J17 J18 J19 J20 J21 J21A J22 J23 J24 J25 J26 J27 J28 J29 J30 J31 J31A J32 J33 J34 J35 J36 J37 J38 J39 J40 J41 J42 J43 J44 J45 M62 M61 M58 M65 M55 Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors© Corporate Ace Limited

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Map drawing © Corporate Ace Limited.

← Section 4: J16–J21ABack to the whole M6Section 6: J32–J36 →

The junctions in section 5

All eight M6 map sections

Check the M6 before you set off

Everything currently reported on the M6 is on our latest M6 traffic news page, checked every five minutes. You can also see the live M6 traffic flow map, M6 closures tonight, M6 roadworks and M6 accidents and incidents, or the traffic northbound and southbound.

Live traffic news at M6 Junctions 21A to 32

Incidents and roadworks between Junction 21 and Junction 32 that we are aware of.

  • M6 Northbound and Southbound mobile hardshoulder closure (MP 290/5 - 346/6)

    Active nowUpdateNorthbound
    Time now: Monday, 5 October 2026, 00:47

    00:305 Oct 2026reported 17 min ago

    Location
    M6 southbound between J23 and J22
    Direction
    Northbound
    Lanes closed
    Hard shoulder closed
    Reason
    Sweeping of road
    Schedule
    20:35 Sun 5 Apr 2026 → 23:59 Fri 31 Mar 2028
    ⏳Long-term works - HA planned end: 23:59 Fri 31 Mar 2028.

  • M6 Southbound Junction 33 to 31A Lane 3 closure (357/7B to 354/7B)

    PlannedRoadworksSouthbound
    Time now: Monday, 5 October 2026, 00:47

    00:305 Oct 2026reported 17 min ago

    Location
    M6 southbound within J32
    Direction
    Southbound
    Lanes closed
    Lane closures
    Reason
    Roadworks
    Schedule
    20:00 Sun 4 Oct 2026 → 06:00 Mon 5 Oct 2026

    Forecast - not confirmed

    🚧HA scheduled: 20:00 Sun 4 Oct 2026 → 06:00 Mon 5 Oct 2026 underway until 06:00 Mon 5 Oct 2026

  • M6 Southbound Junction 33 to 31A Lane 3 closure (357/7B to 354/7B)

    PlannedRoadworksSouthbound
    Time now: Monday, 5 October 2026, 00:47

    00:305 Oct 2026reported 17 min ago

    Location
    M6 southbound between J32 and J31A
    Direction
    Southbound
    Lanes closed
    Lane closures
    Reason
    Roadworks
    Schedule
    20:00 Sun 4 Oct 2026 → 06:00 Mon 5 Oct 2026

    Forecast - not confirmed

    🚧HA scheduled: 20:00 Sun 4 Oct 2026 → 06:00 Mon 5 Oct 2026 underway until 06:00 Mon 5 Oct 2026

    • + 11 more near Junctions 21A to 32 - see all the M6 traffic news →

    This is the news for Junctions 21A to 32 only, not the whole M6. For the rest of the motorway see all the latest M6 traffic news, the overhead signs and the speed limits in force now.

    Updated 00:47 Mon 5 Oct 2026

    M6traffic.co.uk is dedicated to the latest M6 traffic news, checked every five minutes, 24 hours a day. Heading for Manchester? See M60 Traffic for Manchester’s orbital motorway. The M6 meets the M5 near Birmingham — see M5 Traffic.