A COLLISION between two lorries last night (Monday July 8) has closed the northbound M1 between junctions 16 and 18, causing long delays.
Transport officials estimate a 1,200 square metre section of the motorway – the equivalent of nearly five tennis courts – will need to be resurfaced after one of the lorries spilt ‘a significant amount’ of diesel and chicken offal.
A police investigation into the crash, which happened around 10.40pm, concluded at around 5am this morning (Tuesday July 7) –
but recovery, clean up and repair work is expected to take until later this morning to complete.
A diversion is in place between the two junctions, which takes drivers off the M1 at junction 16, then via the A45, A5 and A428 to re-join the motorway at junction 18. Traffic on the M1 is queuing to around junction 15a.
Drivers are advised to check conditions before setting out, and leave plenty of extra time for their journeys if they will be using any part of the diversion route.
