M56 remains closed after flooding with 'no estimated time for reopening'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The M56 motorway remains closed to traffic near Manchester Airport due to flooding on New Year's Day (Wednesday, January 1).

The westbound carriageway is shut due to flooding between Junction 6 and Junction 8. The closure was first reported at around 2am following heavy rain across the region.

The road remains shut as of 6.30pm, with the volume of water meaning there is currently 'no estimated time for reopening'. A National Highways spokesperson said: "The M56 in Cheshire is closed westbound between J6 (Manchester Airport) and J8 (Bowdon) due flooding which has covered all lanes of the carriageway.

National Highways Traffic Officers are on scene. Our contractors have attended and are clearing the flooding, but this is expected to take some time due to the volume of water." A number of other roads in the area also remain closed following the flooding, which saw Greater Manchester Police declare a 'major incident' on New Year's Day.