LANE closures remain on the Thelwall Viaduct this morning, Tuesday, after a lorry fell off the motorway last night.

 As of 7am, two lanes of four remain closed on the northbound carriageway between junction 20, Lymm, and junction 21, Woolston.

This is due to serious damage caused to the barrier.

National Highways North West says that a complex repair operation is under way and will continue throughout the morning.

It has warned commuters to expect delays into the morning peak and to allow extra time.

Warrington town centre traffic is snarled up as a result.

According to Inrix, a traffic and travel service, complex recovery work of the lorry will be taking place throughout the morning.

The major emergency incident, which involved  a lorry crashing off the Thelwall Viaduct and onto the embankment below, happened at around 6.50pm last night, Monday.

Five fire engines from Warrington, Lymm, Middlewich, Chester and Powey Lane fire stations attended as well as a rescue boat from Warrington Fire Station and an aerial appliance from Lymm Fire Station.

The driver of the lorry is not believed to have suffered any life-threatening injuries.

Last night, a Cheshire Police spokesperson said: A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: "Shortly after 6.50pm on Monday, September 30, police were called to reports of an incident on the M6 northbound at Thelwall Viaduct, between junction 20 and 21.

"Officers attended the scene and found a lorry had come off the carriageway and landed on the embankment below the bridge.

"The driver of the lorry is not believed to have suffered any life-threatening injuries.

"Three lanes remain closed on the northbound carriageway due to serious damage caused to the barrier. One lane will remain open with a reduced speed limit.

"These lane closures will remain in place for some time and are expected to continue into the morning. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find an alternative route during this time."