Lucky escape for motorists as lamp post falls on M6

An investigation is now underway into how and why the recently-erected lamp post collapsed northbound just after junction 31a at Longridge, near Preston, narrowly missing several cars.

Police were called to the incident at 9.55am on Saturday after reports that lanes one and two of the northbound carriageway were blocked.

Before emergency services and the Highways Agency could get to the scene, police have reports that a member of public stopped his car and directed traffic.

Congestion built up in the area, stretching back towards Preston, until the lamp post could be dragged off the carriageway and the road was reopened around 10.20am.

No injuries or accidents were reported, but now officials are looking into why the incident occurred in an area where the Highways Agency are carrying out road widening works.

Members of public have hit out at the Agency via the Evening Post website, saying it could easily have caused a serious accident or fatality.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said the organisation is aware of what happened and is looking into the matter, but declined to give further information or whether other lamp posts were being checked.

The Health and Safety Executive has not been made aware of the incident.

The £7m “pinch point” project near the Broughton M6/M55 interchange is designed to widen the road, reducing congestion and improving safety.

The mainline M6 is being e widened to provide three lanes northbound through the junction. The existing two lane exit to the M55 is being retained in a realigned layout and the northbound entry slip from the M55 onto the M6 is being amended north of the junction.

It was first announced in May last year as part of a natrional programme and is expected to finish by the end of this month.