M1 expected to be closed for ‘several hours’ after major incident, congestion building across Leicestershire

Drivers can expect to face delays on the M1 for "several hours" after the southbound carriageway was shut as a result of a major incident. The emergency services responded to a report of a collision at 5.27am this morning (Monday, November 3). The collision, which involved two lorries and another vehicle, resulted in two vehicles catching fire[1].

The southbound carriageway between junctions 21 for the M69 and 20 for Lutterworth has remained closed since, with the recovery process described as "extensive". Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service[2] have said that the recovery will take "several hours" resulting in "long delays" for drivers. They added that the closure of the M1 southbound is causing heavy traffic around Leicestershire.

The fire service also said that Leicestershire Police[3] has declared this a "major incident".

They confirmed that there were no casualties. Police had previously said that nobody had been injured in the collision. Motorists are being advised by both police and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service to avoid the area where possible and to seek alternative routes.

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

References

1. ^ fire (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
2. ^ Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
3. ^ Leicestershire Police (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)