Flat-pack furniture lines side of motorway after overturned lorry shed load (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Whilst its a relief that no one was hurt (which of course is the most important thing) there is an aspect to this that I find really hard to understand. The report says that the accident happened just before midnight, yet the northbound carriageway was blocked solid almost as far back as the Carnforth turn off at 7.45am this morning. As we passed J35 heading south there was no sign indicating the extent of the problem ahead, and nothing to tell motorists that it might just be a good idea to get off the motorway, if they wanted to avoid a serious hold up and rising blood pressure . Whilst it didn't affect me, I felt sorry for all those north-bound motorists caught up in it.I've seen this happen time and time again, with motorists (including myself) blissfully unaware of a looming problem, when with proper notification it could be avoided. Does anyone know why the authorities don't ever seem to do anything about it? I know commercial radio stations offer traffic bulletins, but they are not wholly reliable and often tell you about the problem after one is already caught up in it. There are lots of gantries over the motorway these days, but it is in my experience rare for them to contain specific advice about an accident.

unfortunatley the nearest gantry is at preston so not much use to local traffic.
the highways agency has its own website that updates motorway incidents and traffic conditions so worth a look at before you set off.

Local radio is also a valuable source of information - not like Radio 2 and it's reports of congestion in Kensington!

I wholly agree that there is a major lack of gantries and info boards on 'our' part of the M6. I travel between J36 and J37 northbound daily. There is a flashing '50' sign 2/3 miles before the roadworks start - anyone who isn't aware of the roadworks is just confused and then has sped back up to 80 - 90mph by the time they hit the roadworks.

There IS a gantry, just before Junction 36 - but by the time you reach that, it is often too late to change your route!

It's the one that usually reads:
►Penrith 35 miles, 30 minutes◄

I tried it once - it took me longer than 30 minutes!

the lorry crashed before the gantry though. damned inconvenient!