CUMBRIA, England — Motorists faced severe disruption on the M6 around Tebay, Shap and Kendal on Thursday, September 24, 2026, with National Highways traffic data showing delays reaching approximately 95 minutes on part of the motorway.
An overhead motorway message recorded shortly after 12:40 p.m. warned drivers of:
“M6 J37-J39 KENDAL — 95 MINS DELAY.”
The warning was still being displayed when checked at 12:47 p.m., according to traffic information powered by National Highways data.
Separate live traffic information also showed severe congestion on the northbound M6 between Junctions 37 and 39 near Tebay, while the southbound carriageway at Junction 38 was closed, with all three running lanes and the hard shoulder shown as unavailable.
Despite online searches referring to an “M6 accident,” the available National Highways-sourced information reviewed does not yet establish that a road traffic collision caused the disruption.
What Is Happening on the M6 Near Tebay?
Traffic problems developed around the M6 corridor between Junction 37 near Kendal, Junction 38 at Tebay and Junction 39 near Shap.
Live traffic information showed a severe northbound delay between Junctions 37 and 39 that had been reported from approximately 10:04 a.m.
By 12:40 p.m., National Highways overhead signs were warning motorists that journeys through the area could be delayed by approximately 95 minutes.
There was also significant disruption in the opposite direction.
Southbound traffic between Junction 39 and Junction 38 was experiencing severe delays, while the southbound carriageway at Junction 38 was shown as fully closed.
M6 Tebay Traffic Incident Data
| Traffic Detail | Latest Available Information |
|---|---|
| Motorway | M6 |
| Region | Cumbria |
| Main Area | Kendal – Tebay – Shap |
| Date | September 24, 2026 |
| Northbound Disruption | J37 to J39 |
| Peak Displayed Delay | About 95 minutes |
| Northbound Incident First Reported | Around 10:04 a.m. |
| Southbound Disruption | J39 to J38 |
| J38 Southbound Status | Closed in latest data reviewed |
| Lanes Closed at J38 | Hard shoulder plus lanes 1, 2 and 3 |
| Collision Confirmed? | Not established in available traffic data |
| Additional J37-J38 Restriction | Planned lane 3 closure for repair work |
| Current Status | Severe delays / changing conditions |
95-Minute Delay Warning Near Kendal and Tebay
The strongest evidence for the extent of the disruption comes from National Highways overhead motorway signs.
A message displayed at approximately 12:40 p.m. warned of 95-minute delays between Junctions 37 and 39, referencing Kendal.
That stretch includes the motorway running north from the Kendal area toward Tebay and Shap.
Motorists travelling toward Penrith, Carlisle and Scotland could therefore encounter substantial queues before reaching Junction 39.
The 95-minute figure represents the journey delay being displayed at that time and can change quickly as traffic conditions improve or worsen.
Southbound M6 Closed at Junction 38
The disruption was not limited to northbound traffic.
Live National Highways-sourced information showed the M6 southbound at Junction 38 near Tebay closed, with:
- the hard shoulder closed;
- lane 1 closed;
- lane 2 closed;
- lane 3 closed.
The closure was reported from approximately 11:15 a.m.
At the time of the latest data reviewed, the system estimated the event could clear later Thursday afternoon, although estimated reopening times frequently change during motorway incidents.
Severe Southbound Delays From Shap Toward Tebay
Traffic was also backing up between Junction 39 and Junction 38.
Live information showed severe southbound delays on that stretch near Shap, first reported at approximately 11:19 a.m.
The closure at Junction 38 would naturally cause queues to build north of Tebay as vehicles approached the affected section.
Motorists travelling south from Penrith and Carlisle toward Kendal, Lancaster or the Midlands should therefore allow significant additional journey time.
Was There an Accident on the M6 Near Tebay?
A serious traffic disruption is confirmed, but the available information reviewed does not yet clearly classify the event as a collision.
The live M6 feed identifies severe incidents, congestion and a road closure, but does not provide collision details such as:
- the number of vehicles involved;
- injuries;
- emergency-service attendance;
- damaged vehicles;
- or a police investigation.
For that reason, “M6 Tebay accident” is useful as a search term but should not yet be stated as a confirmed crash in the body of a news report.
The incident could involve a vehicle problem, road infrastructure, traffic-management operation or another emergency.
Additional information from National Highways or Cumbria Police would be needed to establish the cause.
Planned Repair Work Is Also Affecting J37-J38
There is another important factor affecting the same section of motorway.
National Highways data shows planned repair work on the M6 northbound between Junctions 37 and 38, with lane 3 closed.
The restriction was scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. Thursday, September 24, and continue until Friday afternoon.
This planned closure is separate from the later severe traffic incident and southbound Junction 38 closure.
However, having one lane unavailable northbound can reduce capacity and may contribute to longer queues when another incident develops nearby.
Where Is Junction 38?
M6 Junction 38 serves Tebay and surrounding parts of Cumbria.
The junction is particularly important for local traffic entering and leaving the motorway and sits between:
- Junction 37 to the south, serving the Kendal area;
- and Junction 39 to the north, near Shap.
The motorway runs through a rural and hilly part of Cumbria, making diversion routes potentially slower than the M6 itself.
Drivers leaving the motorway because of congestion should follow official diversion signs rather than relying solely on sat-nav shortcuts through narrow local roads.
Why Delays Can Reach More Than an Hour
Motorway delays can increase rapidly when a major closure occurs.
When all southbound lanes are closed at a junction, traffic arriving from behind continues accumulating until vehicles can be diverted, turned around or the road partially reopens.
Northbound congestion can also increase because of:
- lane restrictions;
- emergency vehicles;
- motorists slowing near an incident;
- increased traffic on surrounding junctions;
- and existing repair work.
This helps explain how a localised incident near Tebay can create long delays stretching several junctions.
Are There Injuries?
No injury information was established in the live traffic information reviewed.
There is currently no authoritative basis to report that anyone was:
- seriously injured;
- taken to hospital;
- killed;
- or trapped in a vehicle.
If Cumbria Police or emergency services later confirm casualties, those details should be added separately.
Are Emergency Services at the Scene?
The scale of the closure suggests active traffic management, but the sources reviewed do not provide a verified list of responding emergency services.
No official police statement reviewed identifies whether Cumbria Police, North West Ambulance Service or Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service attended.
It would therefore be premature to describe a multi-agency emergency response without confirmation.
Drivers Should Expect Conditions to Change
Motorway traffic information can change within minutes.
Earlier Thursday, National Highways-sourced data showed around 40 minutes of delay northbound between Junctions 37 and 38.
Later overhead signs increased the warning to approximately 95 minutes between Junctions 37 and 39.
That progression demonstrates how quickly congestion intensified.
Likewise, delays could fall rapidly once lanes reopen and trapped traffic begins moving.
What Should Drivers Do?
Motorists heading through Cumbria should check current National Highways information immediately before travelling.
Drivers should:
- allow substantial extra journey time;
- follow motorway signs;
- obey red-X lane closures;
- avoid stopping on the carriageway;
- keep emergency access routes clear;
- and consider delaying non-essential journeys if severe congestion continues.
Drivers already caught in queues should remain inside their vehicle unless emergency services instruct otherwise.
Final M6 Tebay Traffic Update
As of the latest information reviewed on September 24, 2026, the M6 around Tebay is experiencing serious disruption.
National Highways overhead signs warned motorists of 95-minute delays between Junctions 37 and 39, covering the Kendal-Tebay-Shap corridor.
Live traffic information also showed:
- severe northbound congestion between J37 and J39;
- severe southbound delays between J39 and J38;
- and a full southbound closure at Junction 38 near Tebay.
Separately, planned repair work has closed lane 3 northbound between Junctions 37 and 38.
The available traffic feeds do not yet confirm that a crash caused the disruption, and no verified casualty information has been released in the sources reviewed.
Motorists should continue checking National Highways live information because both the delay figure and road-closure status can change quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are the M6 delays near Tebay today?
National Highways overhead signs displayed a warning of approximately 95 minutes of delay between Junctions 37 and 39 at around 12:40 p.m.
Is the M6 closed at Tebay?
The latest traffic information reviewed showed the southbound M6 at Junction 38 closed, including all three running lanes and the hard shoulder.
Is there an accident between M6 Junctions 37 and 38?
Severe traffic disruption is confirmed, but the information reviewed does not yet explicitly confirm a collision.
Are there delays northbound?
Yes. Severe delays were reported northbound between Junctions 37 and 39 near Tebay.
Are there delays southbound?
Yes. Severe delays were reported from Junction 39 toward Junction 38, where the southbound carriageway was closed.
Is there roadwork between Junctions 37 and 38?
Yes. National Highways data shows lane 3 closed northbound for planned repair work from September 24 into September 25.
Have injuries been reported?
No verified casualty information was available in the sources reviewed.
Disclaimer
This article reflects National Highways-sourced traffic information available on September 24, 2026. Severe delays and a southbound Junction 38 closure are confirmed, but the underlying cause has not yet been established as a road traffic collision in the information reviewed. Delay estimates, lane closures and reopening times can change rapidly and should be checked through live traffic services before travel.