Police statement on M1 lorry crash with huge diversion and massive fuel spillage

26/07/2023

West Yorkshire Police have released a statement following a crash between two HGVs on the M1 this morning which has seen the road closed for over four hours so far.

Officers ^[1] were called to the scene of the crash shortly after 5am today (July 26) after reports that two lorries had collided between Junction 39 and Junction 40 ^[2] of the northbound carriageway. Thankfully it is believed at this time that no one has been injured during the incident near Wakefield ^[3].

National Highways have confirmed that a large amount of fuel has spilled across the carriageway following the collision. It is this fuel spill that has enforced a longer road closure with a clean up operation underway.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed that they were called to a collision between two HGVs at 5.18am on Wednesday, July 26. A spokesperson confirmed that the collision was ‘damage only’.

A spokesperson for National Highways said: “This was a collision involving two HGVs which happened at 5.43am. There was a large fuel spillage as a result.

A police officer can be seen on the motorway after a crash involving two lorries (Image: Motorway Cameras)

“The recovery of the vehicles was complete by 7.38am but the clean up and treatment for the spillage continues. There are delays of 45 minutes on the approach and two miles of congestion.”

A report on the current traffic situation from our traffic and travel partner Inrix states: “M1 Northbound closed, queueing traffic due to recovery work and earlier accident, two lorries involved from J39 A636 Denby Dale Road (Wakefield / Durkar) to J40 A638 Wakefield Road (Ossett / Wakefield). Congestion to Woolley Edge Services. Slow traffic on routes through Wakefield as traffic diverts.

“Incident occurred at around 05.15 this morning which closed the road. Diversion – follow the hollow circle symbol onto the A636 towards Netherton and the A638, re-joining the motorway again at J40 (Ossett / Wakefield).”

Diversion Routes

Road users travelling in a vehicle below or equal to 14’0″ or 4.27m in height are advised to follow the Hollow Circle diversion symbol visible on local road signs.

Exit the M1 at J39.
At the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A636 (Denby Dale Road).
Proceed on the A636 for approximately 3 miles until the roundabout with Charlesworth Way.
At the roundabout turn left onto Charlesworth Way and proceed along Charlesworth Way until junction with A638 (Ings Road).
At the junction proceed on A638 for approximately 3 miles to the junction with the M1 J40.
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit to re-join M1 northbound at J40.

YorkshireLive has launched a WhatsApp community and anyone who joins will get the latest breaking news and top stories sent direct to their phone. To join click here ^[5].

Road users travelling in a vehicle over 14’0″ or 4.27m in height are advised to follow the Solid Square diversion symbol visible on local road signs.

Exit the M1 J39.
At the roundabout take 3rd exit onto the A636 (Denby Dale Road) and proceed along this road for approximately 1 mile until roundabout with A6186.
At the roundabout take 3rd exit onto A6186 (Asdale Road). Proceed on A6186 for approximately 1 mile until junction with the A61 (Barnsley Road).
At the junction take the A61 Northbound (Barnsley Road) and proceed along this road for approximately 3 miles until reaching A61 Northbound (Kirkgate).

Stay on A61 Northbound (Kirkgate) and continue straight onto the roundabout with Marsh Way.
At the roundabout take 4th exit (effectively a U-turn) back onto A61 Southbound (Kirkgate).
Proceed on A61 Southbound (Kirkgate) for approximately 300yds until junction with A638 (Ings Road).
Turn right onto A638 (Ings Road) and proceed along this road for approximately 3 miles until the junction with the M1 J40.
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit to re-join M1 northbound at J40.

References

^{^} Officers (www.examinerlive.co.uk)
^{^} Junction 39 and Junction 40 (www.examinerlive.co.uk)
^{^} Wakefield (www.examinerlive.co.uk)
^{^} Huddersfield’s most dangerous road finally set for changes to ‘encourage people to walk’ instead (www.examinerlive.co.uk)
^{^} here (www.examinerlive.co.uk)