HGV was transporting 12 containers when it was involved in crash leaving nearby river 'running white'
POLICE were forced to close a motorway after a lorry driver spilled 12,000 litres of white paint across the carriageway causing traffic chaos.
The HGV was transporting 12 containers of paint when it was involved in a collision with a car on the southbound carriageway of the M606 motorway near Bradford, West Yorkshire.
The road has remained closed since the incident, which happened just before 11pm last night, while resurfacing works is carried out, the highways agency said.
Meanwhile locals contacted Sun Online to report the River Spen was "running white".
The Environment Agency confirmed paint had entered the river as a result of the spill.
A spokesman said: "We attended a paint spill incident on the M606 and are supporting the Highways Agency and emergency services to limit its impact.
"There is no risk to people or wildlife.
"We will continue to monitor the situation."
West Yorkshire Police said it's working to establish what happened.
A statement from Highways England said: "The M606 southbound in West Yorkshire is closed between J3 and Jr (near Bradford) for clear up of a large spillage after a collision between a lorry and a car.
"The lorry has spilled its load of approximately 12,000 litres of paint and large containers across a large section of the southbound carriageway.
"The containers and paint require specialist recovery and resurfacing works will be required.
"Road users are advised to allow plenty of extra time for their journeys and may wish to consider using an alternative route if possible."
Nigel Fawcett-Jones, from West Yorkshire Police, said: "One of the challenges is that it's hazardous to the environment and they can't just flush it down the drain.
"So they are trying their best to find a method to get it off the carriageway and dispose of it in a safe and appropriate manner."
Drivers have taken to Twitter to complain that they were unfortunate enough to have driven through the spillage in the moments afterwards.
David Townend wrote: "What is the stuff? I drove through it just after it happened and have it on my tyres and wheel arch."
Another user shared pictures of his car and showed how it had "damaged my vehicle too".
Others joked that it "looked like a sticky situation" while another said "that paints a very sorry picture".
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