THERE are severe traffic problems in the Kendal area following a serious incident on the M6 close to the town.

The collision, which involved a car and a HGV according to traffic reports, happened on the northbound carriageway at around 11.30am between Junction 36, A590 Kirkby Lonsdale to Junction 37, A684 Kendal. 

Cumbria Police asked drivers on the northbound carriageway to be patient as officers and other emergency services carried out their work. 

All lanes on the northbound carriageway are now open. However, there are still severe queues and long traffic delays. The southbound carriageway has also re-opened. 

The knock-on effect of the motorway closure has caused severe problems in Kendal.

Traffic is queued on the northbound carriageway of the A591 Kendal bypass for around a mile back from the roundabout at Plumgarths.  

There is also a long queue on the A6 southbound at Shap Road, with solid traffic tailing back to well beyond Kendal RUFC, and stationary traffic on Aynam Road and Sedbergh Road.

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In addition, there are reports of the village of Oxenholme being gridlocked with traffic, including large numbers of HGV vehicles.   

Motorists who were 'trapped' on the M6 within the closure due to an air ambulance attending the scene were being turned around from the rear of the queue. 

A diversion remains in place from Junction 36 to junction 39 using the A6.