M6 car fire sparks delays near Great Barr alongside traffic chaos in Dudley after crash - WATCH
Commuters have faced major delays on the M6 after a car fire blocked two lanes of the northbound carriageway.
The motorway remains blocked between junction six for the Aston Expressway and junction seven for Great Barr after the fire which started just after 9am.
Drivers are being delayed back to junction five.
A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said: "Crews are dealing with a small vehicle this is on fire on the hard shoulder of the M6 between junctions 6 and 7.
"We got a call at 9.11am and police and highways are also in attendance."
Crews from Aston and Perry Barr are in attendance.
Highways England tweeted: "M6 northbound J6-J7. Traffic released but 2 lanes (of 4) closed due to a vehicle fire. @WestMidsFire on scene and damping the fire down."
A lane of the motorway will remain closed all day road resurfacing will take place later tonight.
Meanwhile there is travel chaos on Birmingham New Road, at Burnt Tree, between Dudley and Sandwell, after a car crash.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We received a call at 2.30am to reports that a man had crashed into a lamppost.
"Electrical wires were hanging from an electrical box.
"A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving and failing to provide a specimen."
The force also confirmed that they had received numerous reports of the incident and been dealing with 'lots of angry exchanges between motorists'.
A Dudley Council spokesman said: "We are working as quickly as we can to get temporary traffic lights installed before this evening's rush hour. We would advise motorists to avoid the area if at all possible."
