A succession of vehicles could be seen 'escaping' a lengthy M62 traffic jam by driving along a restricted access road this evening.

There were long delays and a traffic jam stretching back to the Bradford turn-off following a four-car crash on the motorway 

The four-car smash took place 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 afternoonA four-car crash on the M62 this afternoon has caused traffic to back up on the M62 this afternoon (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "This was a damage only collision which was found to have involved four cars. It was reported at 3.45pm today."

One person told the T&A: "There are queues back to Chain Bar junction 26 and traffic jams are stretching back to the Bradford turn-off. The little escape route at the back of Hartshead Moor services seems very busy with traffic and the barrier they put in a few months ago looks to be damaged."

A traffic alert by Inrix reported: "Long delays due to earlier accident on M62 westbound from unction 23 New Hey Road (Huddersfield) to junction 22 (Rishworth Moor).

"Traffic was held for around 20 minutes, after which one lane was closed."

As drivers tried to avoid the backed up traffic, many were seen using a narrow road from Hartshead Moor Service Station to the nearby village.

A barrier, which was meant to restrict access to Highmoor Lane from Hartshead Moor Service Station, has been damagedA barrier, which was meant to restrict access to Highmoor Lane from Hartshead Moor Service Station, has been damaged (Image: Newsquest)

Cameras and a barrier used to stop traffic onto Highmoor Lane were installed at the service station in April to stop the narrow road being used as a cut-through from the M62.

That move proved controversial, with many people criticising the changes.

This evening, the T&A witnessed a lot of people using the badly-potholed road as an 'escape route'.

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

A barrier closing off the road appears to be damaged, allowing traffic to flow through.

The T&A witnessed 12 cars on the narrow lane in a two minute period today.

Vehicles today were making their way along the restricted access route between Hartshead Moor services on the M62 and the village of HartsheadVehicles today were making their way along the restricted access route between Hartshead Moor services on the M62 and the village of Hartshead (Image: Newsquest)

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

Back in April, a spokesperson for the Batley and Spen Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "Officers have been in attendance at Hartshead Service Station over recent days advising motorists regarding the restrictions that are in place for entering and leaving the service station via Highmoor Lane.

"New speed bumps and signs have recently been erected and the area is now covered by ANPR cameras.

"A barrier has also been installed and will soon be in operation."