M58 eastbound remains shut 11 hours after lorry crash due to diesel spillage and barrier damage

Highways England re-opened two lanes (of 3) on the westbound carriageway shortly before 12pm, but the eastbound remains shut as of 1.30pm.

Highways said the clean-up operation is "a complicated one" due to a diesel spill caused by the overturned lorry near Bickerstaffe Interchange.

Essential repairs are also still being carried out on 100m of barriers along the central reservation, which has been completely levelled after the lorry ploughed through it at 1.47am.

Highways explained that delays to the re-opening are due to a diesel clean-up, which could not be carried out until the overturned lorry had been recovered.

Sweepers are still on the scene working to clean the diesel from the carriageway and sand has been applied to soak up the fuel.

Upon completion of the clean-up, the carriageway will need to be assessed by Highways officers before it is deemed safe to re-open.

A spokesman for Highways England said: "This is a complicated one requiring extraction of vehicles - including an HGV, as well as a diesel spill and then barrier repairs.

"The barrier team are continuing to work on scene and the westbound carriageway remains closed. The diversion routes continue to flow well."

"The carriageway has also been damaged by diesel oil and there will have to be an overnight closure (possibly tonight) for resurfacing."

Dramatic pictures showed the stricken HGV on its side, splayed across both carriageways.

Highways said it took recovery crews nearly three hours to remove the lorry from the scene, between 6.22am and 9.36am.

Motorists are advised to follow the 'solid triangle' signs for diversions routes

- Join M57 eastbound and exit M57 at junction 6

- Then take the A506 northbound before re-joining the M58 at junction 1