Oxfordshire M40 motorway reopens after ‘hazardous’ oil spill
The M40 southbound was the site of a crash between a tanker and a van on Monday (November 17) at around 7.45pm. Traffic was halted and lanes were closed following the incident between Junction 8 for Oxford and Junction 6 for Watlington. National Highways confirmed that the spilt liquid was bitumen, which is a black, highly viscous, and sticky substance derived from crude oil or found in natural deposits.
Described as "hazardous chemicals" by The Independent, the spillage has caused a lengthy closure, which ran overnight and throughout Tuesday. This morning (November 19), Oxfordshire County Council[2] said the road has reopened. In a statement posted on X, it said: "The closure on the M40 Southbound between J8A Thame and J6 Lewknor has now reopened.
"Traffic flow has returned to normal." 
Specialist teams had been trying to contain the spillage with a replacement tanker at the site to pump the remaining bitumen at around 3.40am on Tuesday. A spokesperson from National Highways then said: "Unfortunately, the replacement tanker has been unable to pump the contents from the casualty tanker and therefore recovery cannot take place at present. "Plans are underway to source another tanker to continue with the pumping operation.
"Our engineers have assessed the road surface and confirmed significant damage. "Because the bitumen has hardened on the carriageway, simple clean-up isn't enough, the affected lanes will need to be planed and resurfaced. "This work can only be done safely under a full closure."
Photographs from the scene showed the spilt bitumen on the road surface as well as the crashed tanker and van.
References
- ^ Man wanted for 'serious assault' found and arrested (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
- ^ Oxfordshire County Council (www.oxfordshire.gov.uk)
- ^ Woman who suffered with 'debilitating' health symptoms dies (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)