A BARROW Councillor has expressed disgust at 'poor communication' from the Highways Agency after many Cumbrians were caught in M6 gridlock over the weekend. 

Families travelling through Cumbria spent up to 10 hours in chaotic traffic gridlock as a stretch of the M6 had to be closed whilst routine bridge repairs were carried out at Junction 33 near Preston. 

News and Star: Sol WielkopolskiSol Wielkopolski (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Sol Wielkopolski said he had many complaints from stranded drivers and took to twitter to slam inadequate signage warning motorists ahead of the J33 bridge repairs. 

He tweeted: "This is a complete disgrace from @NationalHways again Oliver Their planning and comms are abysmal. Events missed. Work throttled. Plans ruined. A friend has been stuck in this traffic for 3 hours now & only moved 1/2 mile between J34&33.

National Highways had warned drivers: "There are currently long delays of 75 minutes above normal journey times on the #M6 southbound on the approach to J33 near #Lancaster.

"The M6 is closed southbound between J33 and J32 for essential maintenance works."

However Cllr Sol Wielkopolski says an advanced warning and proper assessment of the M6 traffic impact would have spared drivers huge delays and uncomfortable journeys.

"This is highly miss-leading as it ignores the closure of the M6 which has been very poorly communicated & planned by @HighwaysNWESTgood work from @LancsRoadPolice yesterday on the roadways, but same root cause exists: poor comms."

"Here’s a sign that could be used and I just checked. Many people in South Cumbria have accessed the motorway with no notice of the delays due to the M6 south being closed. @HighwaysNWEST are implying there’s adequate signage, there isn’t.