The incident happened eastbound between junctions 14 for Chester Services and 12 for Runcorn near Cheshire. Reports suggest there are four cars and a van involved with a two-lane closure in place around the scene. Normal traffic conditions are expected between 5pm and 5:15pm on Friday according to Highways England

       A spokesperson for National Highways said there are currently delays of up to 90 minutes, and 8.2 miles of congestion.

       They said: "There are severe delays on the M56 due to a multiple vehicle collision that occurred between J14 and J12.

       "North West Motorway Police Group are at scene along with other emergency services.

       "All lanes are blocked at this time to facilitate emergency services working at scene, traffic is passing on the hard shoulder.

       "Delays are 90 minutes above normal travel time, there is approximately 8.2 miles of congestion prior to the incident."

       The delays caused by the accident are reported to stretch all the way back from the M56 along the A494 towards Queensferry, Flintshire, Wales.

       Social media users bemoaned the hour-plus delay on the motorway.

       Justin Madders, Labour MP for Ellesmere Port & Neston, said: “Ministers keep telling us the problems are not that bad on here…they obviously don’t drive on the m56.”

       Others said the delays were “ruining my weekend”.

       Cheshire Police’s Roads and Crime Unit and National Highways were at the scene at around 2:30pm on Friday.

       At 4:29pm, they shared on Twitter “the traffic collision has been cleared”.

       But they also added: “However, there is now a lanes 1 and 2 closure for a broken down milk tanker further back.

       “Apologies for any inconvenience.”

       Speaking to Cheshire Live, a spokesperson for Cheshire Constabulary shared one man was injured in the accident.

       They said: "At 1.37pm on Friday 17 September police were called to reports of a multi-vehicle collision on the M56 eastbound between junctions 12 and 14.

       "Police, fire and ambulance attended the scene and found there had been a collision involving a number of vehicles including a silver Ford Transit van, a black Ford Fiesta, a Blue BMW 320D, a white Toyota Van, a black Ford Galaxy and a White Mazda 3.

       "One person has been was injured as a result of the incident.

       “The man was extricated from his vehicle by Cheshire Fire and taken to Warrington District General Hospital."