Motorists were outraged at the weekend after reportedly being stuck for hours on Lancashire's busiest motorway.

Over the weekend police closed the southbound carriages of the motorway between junction 33 and junction 32 on the M6 for planned “essential bridge safety and maintenance work”.

Some motorists said they were stuck on the motorway for eight hours and others said the closure lead to health and safety concerns.

Others have encouraged the public to make complaints about the maintenance work, which is set to continue throughout September.

Adrian Hall encouraged the people of Lancaster to make an official web complaint.

He said: “I genuinely think local residents need to complain to the Highways about the M6’s closure this weekend and the next three.

“The impact on local roads and residents and businesses is totally unacceptable. They should limit the work to night times only and/or set up a contra flow system.”

Ryan Coasters said: “Install a contraflow instead of closing the carriageway. What utter mess [National Highways] have caused by poor planning.”

@AlicesAngels1 said: “We ended up in seven very long hours of traffic - a journey which should have taken just onw hour.

“More accurate updates on the gridlock and delays would I am sure assist other travellers please.”

Carol Wilcock said: “My journey home from work normally takes an hour and 10 minutes and it actually took me six-and-a-half hours, four-and-a-half hours of which were spent between junction 34 and 33.

“Absolutely unacceptable.”

Aileen Muir said: “Travelled up and down the M6 for years and experienced lots of delays and closures.

“Seen nothing like this before. M6 southbound closed at Lancaster with around a 10-mile tailback”

A Twitter user, @angelcastshelp, said: “My poor great grandparents have been stuck on the M6 southbound since 11am with no water and are still no closer to the junction.

“What is going on? So many families with kids must be suffering.”

Sarah Berry said: “My auntie has been stuck on the M6 south between junction 33 and 32 since 11am this morning, it’s now nearly 9.30pm. No food, no water, no update.”

A Facebook user said: “I really feel for everyone who was stuck it must have been horrendous and I don’t understand why others can’t be sympathetic towards what must have been a hideous day.”

Matt Fletcher, from Morecambe, said: “The M6 southbound closure is risking lives.

“It took me eight hours to travel from junction 34 to 33, only to abandon my journey and return home as it would be unsafe to continue driving with such tiredness.”

He added that he saw “dozens of people urinating in the verges”, broken down vehicles in running lanes and “families with young children wandering around in the carriageway”.

Some social media users jumped to the defence of Highways England and said the planned closure had been advertised for months.

Andy Walden said: “Been well advertised for months. It’s closed every weekend southbound until October.

“Plan your journeys better and you won’t get stuck.”

More planned closures will be taking place on the M6 throughout September.

Planned full closures on the M6 are being paused this weekend 16 – 19 September

Work will be carried out on the weekends of September 23 and 30. The northbound carriageway between junctions 33 and 32  will be closed again from 9pm on Friday nights until 5am Monday morning.

To carry out the bridge strike repair, two roads under each bridge, Whittingham Lane (B5269) and Stubbins Lane will be closed during the weekend of Friday September 30 until Monday October 3.

Alan Shepherd, National Highways' divisional director, said: "We are sincerely sorry for the delays experienced by drivers on the M6 this weekend and will be reviewing the traffic management, signage and communications ahead of future weekend closures.

 “As soon as practicable and to help ease congestion and support road users, we reopened two out of three lanes on the southbound carriageway at 5.10pm yesterday, with the work restarting at 12am and continuing until 5am today (Monday 12 September).

 “As the nation pays its respects to Queen Elizabeth, planned full closures on the M6 are being paused this weekend 16 – 19 September. This will allow National Highways more time to review its plans for future weekend closures and make any necessary changes to minimise disruption.

 “We continue to advise road users to check their routes before setting off using live traffic information on www.trafficengland.com, to allow extra time for their journeys and to familiarise themselves with diversion routes if necessary."