ONE lane of the M6 remains closed today after a lorry overturned and caused 12 hours of disruption.

The lane, on the southbound carriageway, is shut to allow barrier repairs to be completed.

Drivers endured heavy delays in both directions yesterday after the load was shed from a trailer south of Carlisle, bringing motorists to a standstill.

Roads crews had to embark on a heavy clean-up operation to make the scene passable after debris smashed through the central reservation.

Police have said that the driver of the lorry escaped unhurt. No other vehicles were involved.

But the disruption was substantial with tailbacks on both sides of the motorway, as well as along surrounding roads on which the traffic was diverted, including the A6.

The lorry overturned while travelling southbound, about a mile from junction 41 - the turn-off for Wigton - at about 1.45pm.

For most of yesterday afternoon and evening, the M6 was closed in both directions between the Wigton exit and junction 42, Carlisle’s Golden Fleece turn-off.

The northbound carriageway was fully reopened, between 8.30pm and 9pm.