A56 closure after lorry overturn

Major Lancashire road closed after a lorry overturns, causing delays and detours.

A56 closed after lorry overturn blocks Rossendale route

The A56 near Haslingden is shut in both directions between the A680 Manchester Road and the M66 junction 1. Inrix reports traffic is halted as emergency crews respond after a crash that left a lorry on its side. Police have said the road is likely to remain closed for some time and drivers are urged to follow detours.

A central reservation breach was reported and authorities stress there is no immediate timetable for reopening. Local authorities expect disruption to persist through the morning peak so commuters should plan alternative routes and check updates via live blogs and traffic services.

The closure shows how quickly a single crash can reroute thousands of journeys and stress local roads. Detours may push traffic onto smaller streets and raise travel times for residents and workers. The incident also raises questions about the network's resilience in rural Lancashire and about how detour options are communicated and managed. Authorities will need clear, timely updates to help people adjust and to prevent secondary incidents on alternate routes.

Looking ahead, this event could inform future road safety and incident response planning. If such closures become more common, communities may push for faster reopening or better remote monitoring of traffic patterns through digital signs and real time data.

Highlights

Updates will follow as the scene develops