Just a few days ago, Highways Agency officials unveiled new plans for the junction near Rugby, which has seen several accidents over the past few months.

A week on from their exhibition, police confirmed that a woman in her 50s and a man in his 20s were killed in a three vehicle crash.

It happened at about 2.45pm on Friday, July 11 at junction one southbound of the M6.

It involved three vehicles, a silver Saab 9-3 convertible, a blue Renault Clio and a white DAF lorry.

Officers from Leicestershire Constabulary's Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision on the M6 motorway.

A police spokesperson said: "The front seat passenger in the Saab, believed to be a woman in her fifties, received fatal injuries. She is yet to be formally identified.

"The rear seat passenger in the Saab, believed to be a man in his twenties, received fatal injuries. He is yet to be formally identified.

"The driver of the Saab received minor injuries and was treated at the Walsgrave hospital.

"The driver of the Clio and the lorry were not injured.

"A man has been arrested in connection with the incident and has been released on police bail pending further enquiries."

The carriageway was closed to allow for the emergency services to deal with the incident.

PC Simon Horton, who is investigating this incident, said: "It's important we build up a complete picture of events leading up to this incident.

"We are therefore interested in hearing from anyone who witnessed the incident or who saw any of the vehicles in the time leading up to the collision."

Anyone with any information about the collision is asked to contact PC 646 Simon Horton on 0116 222 2222, follow the instructions to leave a message for a police officer and when prompted key in the officers identification number 0646. Alternatively call Crimestoppers, which is free* and anonymous on 0800 555 111