A serious crash on the M1 motorway has triggered widespread travel chaos this morning, with two lanes closed northbound between junctions 23 and 24 near East Midlands Airport. The incident, involving a collision and a broken-down vehicle along with a fuel spill, has caused significant delays during the peak rush hour period.
Police Urge Motorists to Avoid the Area
Leicestershire Police have issued a statement urging drivers to steer clear of the affected section of the M1. They confirmed that two out of four lanes are currently shut, leading to slow-moving traffic and advising motorists to seek alternative routes to minimise congestion.
National Highways Reports Severe Disruption
National Highways has provided an update on the situation, noting that vehicle recovery teams are at the scene addressing the collision and fuel spill. They report delays of approximately 30 minutes and nearly two miles of congestion on the approach to the closed lanes. Updates are expected to follow as the situation develops.
Motorists are strongly advised to allow extra time for their journeys and consider rerouting to avoid the area. The closure is impacting travel to and from East Midlands Airport, adding to the disruption for commuters and travellers alike.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining smooth traffic flow on key motorways during busy periods, with authorities working to resolve the issue promptly.
