The northbound carriageway was initially shut at junction 20, however the southbound aspect was later additionally closed inside the junction as emergency companies handled the incident.
Nationwide Highways confirmed crews had been on the scene and warned motorists to count on prolonged delays, with congestion stretching for miles across the affected space.
Visitors cameras confirmed lengthy queues constructing on the strategy to junction 20 as commuters confronted vital journey disruption throughout the morning rush hour.
At round 5.40am, drivers had been going through delays of round 20 minutes and three miles of congestion.
The state of affairs worsened all through the morning, with an additional replace confirming each the northbound and southbound carriageways had been closed at junction 20.
Nationwide Highways mentioned visitors trapped inside the closure past the exit slip highway was being launched from the rear of the queue.
Motorists had been warned of delays of as much as half-hour, with congestion stretching for about 4 miles on the strategy to the closure.
Visitors continues to construct across the affected junction, with cameras displaying queues extending throughout the motorway community as drivers sought different routes.
As issues stand, the closure is predicted to stay in place for a while, with Nationwide Highways confirming emergency repairs are wanted to broken central reservation limitations.
Delays have now elevated to 90 minutes with eight miles of congestion on the strategy.
The Bolton Information has contacted Nationwide Highways and Cheshire Police for additional details about the collision and whether or not anybody was injured.
The disruption additionally seems to be having a knock-on impact throughout the area’s motorway community.
Based on visitors monitoring service Inrix, drivers on the M6 southbound between junction 22 and junction 20 had been going through delays of as much as 66 minutes, with common speeds of simply 5mph.
Elsewhere, congestion was additionally constructing on the M61 southbound between junction 4 at Farnworth and junction 1 on the M60 Swinton Interchange with Inrix reported delays of round 17 minutes, with visitors shifting at a mean velocity of 10mph.
The delays come as motorists divert away from the closure and visitors volumes enhance throughout key routes throughout the morning rush hour.
Motorists are suggested to permit additional time for his or her journeys and search different routes the place attainable whereas emergency companies stay on the scene.