A major incident on the M1 motorway has caused severe disruption for drivers this afternoon after a heavy goods vehicle caught fire.
Lorry Engulfed in Flames on Key Route
Emergency services were called to the M1 southbound between junction 15 for Northampton and junction 14 for Milton Keynes following reports of a lorry blaze. The vehicle was completely engulfed in flames, leading to an immediate closure of lanes for safety.
Severe Travel Disruption and Long Delays
National Highways East confirmed that three out of four lanes remain closed to allow recovery and investigation work to take place. The organisation warned motorists of significant knock-on effects from the incident.
Drivers are facing delays of at least one hour on approach to the scene, with congestion stretching back for approximately six miles. Recovery vehicles have now arrived at the location, but the clear-up operation is expected to take some time.
Official Advice for Motorists
In a post on social media platform X, National Highways East issued a clear warning to travellers: "There's an hour delay and 6 miles of congestion on approach so allow extra time."
Commuters and long-distance travellers are strongly advised to:
- Allow considerable extra time for journeys on this route.
- Consider alternative routes if possible.
- Check live traffic updates before setting out.
The incident, which occurred earlier today, continues to cause major problems on one of the country's busiest transport corridors. Updates on lane re-openings are expected from National Highways as the situation develops.
