M1 closed until tonight after major incident, drivers urged to avoid area

Three vehicles were involved in a collision between J20 and J21

Jasmine Siddon 15:08, 03 Nov 2025

Leicestershire Police[1] have said that the M1 southbound will be closed until tonight after a major incident was declared. Two lorries and another vehicle collided at 5.27am this morning (Monday, November 3).

The collision resulted in two vehicles catching fire.

Drivers have faced significant delays, with Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service warning motorists.

Leicestershire Police have now said that the M1 southbound, between junctions 21 and 20, will remain closed until approximately 8pm tonight. The force added that it would have further updates closer to that time.

The incident has had an impact on traffic across Leicestershire. Just after the collision occurred, the M1 northbound was also closed; however, it reopened shortly after 8am this morning.

No injuries or casualties were reported, as Inrix said earlier that fuel had spilt onto the road.

An extensive recovery operation has been taking place, which included a specialist cleaning of the road.

Leicestershire Police, East Midlands Ambulance Service, and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service were all at the scene this morning, alongside a water carrier from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.

According to Inrix, a diversion in operation is now in place via the M69 southbound, toward the A5 to Magna Park and along to the A4303 eastbound via a hollow square symbol.

Anybody with information regarding the incident should contact Leicestershire Police, quoting incident 61 of November 3.

References

1. ^ Leicestershire Police (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)