I’ve been inundated with correspondence and calls from drivers who were stuck in 12 hour delays across the constituency and beyond at the weekend. I can well understand the frustration, discomfort and worry this caused everyone involved. The elderly, pregnant and very young were amongst those caught up in the planned M6 closures between junction 33 and 32.

As drivers tried to divert off the motorway, local roads became gridlocked, and nobody moved for a very long time. This situation is clearly unacceptable and I’m worried about the coming weekends when the same junctions are scheduled for closure.

This coming weekend is of particular concern, given that many will be making personally important journeys to pay their final respects to the Queen as she lies in state in London.

I have written to Nick Harris, the Chief Executive of National Highways asking him to urgently reconsider the closures.

In addition, I am aware that the operational capacity of Lancashire Police will see vital changes as Crown Servants are redeployed to support the state funeral arrangements. This alone should give National Highways pause for thought about pressing on with the M6 closure.

Added to this, Lancaster University has also expressed concern, as they host a University Open Day this Saturday which will attract 6,000 visitors. This is a key date in their recruitment calendar in what has become an extremely competitive field.

Combined with the reduced and disrupted train services on the West Coast Mainline, this major road closure effectively risks cutting off the North West.

I am aware that fully signed diversion routes are in place, agreed with the police and local council. However, given the operational and logistical challenges for people, businesses and institutions, along with the unique and deeply sensitive reasons for travel this coming weekend in particular, I am imploring National Highways, Lancashire County Council, and Lancashire Police to work together to rethink these weekend closures and seek an alternative method to complete the maintenance work.

I have included a copy of my letter below and I’ll update you when I have received a response.