Lorry closes M1 when it overturns and spreads ten tons of sand across the carriageway – causing a five-mile tailback
- A lorry overturned on the motorway shortly after 6:30am on Friday
- The M1 was closed between junctions 23 and 23A near Loughborough
- Photo shows the carriageway covered in sand causing long tailbacks
A stretch of the M1 looked like a bucket-and-spade holiday beach after a lorry overturned and spread sand on the carriageway.
Ten tons of sand spilled from a lorry trailer across the motorway after it crashed at around 6:30am on Friday.
The incident, which took place between junctions 23 and J23A near Loughborough[2], prompted a closure of the M1 causing tailbacks of five miles.
A clear-up was launched by broom-wielding highway workers immediately after the crash.
The third lane of the carriageway was swept clean so it could re-open shortly before 7.10am followed by the other two at 9:30am.
National Highways said there were tailbacks of around an hour after the lorry crashed (pictured above)
National Highways said the queues caused delays of about an hour.
England’s trunk roads authority posted on X/Twitter: ‘Lanes one and two remain CLOSED on the #M1 northbound between J23 and J23A for recovery and clear up works following an overturned HGV.
‘Recovery remains ongoing. Please allow extra time if travelling in the area as delays of 30 mins and approx. four miles of congestion.’
Leicestershire Police said no-one had been injured in the crash and urged people to use alternative routes.
References
- ^ Richard Percival (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ took place between junctions 23 and J23A near Loughborough (www.dailymail.co.uk)