Traffic backing up to the Bradford junction after a four-car accident on the M62

There are long delays and a traffic jam stretching to the Bradford junction following a four-car crash on the M62 this afternoon (Thursday).

The four-car crash happened just before 4pm on the M62 westbound between junction 23 New Hey Road (Huddersfield) and junction 22 (Rishworth Moor).

A four-car crash on the M62 this afternoon has caused traffic to back up on the M62 this afternoon (Image: Newsquest)

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “This was a damage only collision which was found to involve four cars. It was reported today at 15.45″.

One person told the T&A: “There are queues back up at junction 26 in Chain Bar and traffic jams are stretching all the way to the Bradford junction.

A recent Inrix traffic alert reported: “Long delays due to previous accident on the M62 westbound from junction 23 New Hey Road (Huddersfield) to junction 22 (Rishworth Moor).

“Traffic was backed up for approximately 20 minutes, after which one lane was closed.”

As drivers try to avoid traffic backups, many are using a narrow road from Hartshead Moor service station as an ‘escape route’.

A barrier, which was intended to restrict access to Highmoor Lane from Hartshead Moor service station, has been damaged (Image: Newsquest)

Cameras and a barrier used to stop traffic on Highmoor Lane were installed at the petrol station in April as the narrow road was used as a flyover from the M62.

To avoid the M62 traffic, the T&A today saw a lot of people using the road as an ‘escape route’, which should be closed.

A car travels on Highmoor Lane from Hartshead Moor Service Station through a damaged barrier (Image: Newsquest)

However, a barrier closing the road is damaged, allowing traffic.

T&A saw 12 cars on the narrow lane in two minutes today.

Today vehicles were heading along the restricted access route between Hartshead Moor services on the M62 and Hartshead village (Image: Newsquest)

A line of vehicles were making their way along the restricted access route between Hartshead Moor services on the M62 and Hartshead village.