A1 closed near Grantham after serious van and lorry crash ends with air ambulance called

National Highways says that the motorway will remain closed for some time 'due to the nature of the incident'

Rachel Vickers-Price UK and World News Reporter 01:50, 14 May 2026Updated 01:52, 14 May 2026

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The A1 has been closed after a serious crash (Image: West Lothian Courier)

A major A-road has been closed off to traffic in the wake of a serious crash involving a van and a lorry, with emergency crews[1] and an air ambulance[2] scrambled to the scene to assist. The collision saw the A1 in Lincolnshire closed to traffic in both directions from 2.30pm Wednesday (May 13). afternoon, with the road sealed off to motorists between the A607 at Grantham and the A52 near Barrowby.

All emergency services, including Lincolnshire Police, Fire and Rescue, and the East Midlands Ambulance Service, all raced to attend the scene.

Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance also scrambled to attend.

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No updates have been given regarding the conditions of those involved, but National Highways has confirmed the northbound lanes of the A1 remain closed, and - as per Google Traffic - will stay that way for some time.

As per AA Roadwatch, the collision was reported just after 2.30pm on Wednesday (May 13). The incident report states: "Road closed due to crash, a van and a lorry involved on A1 Northbound from A607 (Harlaxton/Melton Mowbray Turn Off) to A52 (Grantham North/Barrowby turn off)." The A1's estimated reopening time has been given as around 9am Thursday (May 14), as collision investigations continue to take place.

It now also appears that roadworks may be required on the A1 following the crash, with a fresh alert added to Google Traffic at about 1.30am on Thursday to denote roadworks on the same stretch of the A-road.

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The A1 will remain shut for quite some time, Google Traffic indicates(Image: Google)

National Highways has confirmed that police remain at the scene, with officers carrying out crash scene investigation works as they attempt to piece together what went wrong on the road yesterday afternoon. It is understood that traffic officers from National Highways remain at the scene, assisting with traffic management.

A diversion route is currently in place for northbound motorists, with commuters warned to take extra time on the roads this morning as heavy congestion is likely due to the continued closure.

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Northbound motorists are being advised by National Highways to follow the solid square diversion symbol to get around the closure.

Or, if you prefer a road-by-road breakdown of the diversion route, it is as follows:

• Exit the A1 at B1174 Little Ponton, continue along the B1174 into Grantham to B1174/A52/A607 Bridge End Road/ South Parade junction (Gainsborough Corner), then turn right (east) onto the A52
• Continue along the A52 to A52/B6403 roundabout.
• Turn left (east) and continue along the A52 until the A52/A15
• Roundabout, then turn left (north) onto the A15 and travel along the A15 through Osbournby village
• Continue straight over the A15/A153 Quarrington Roundabout to the A17/A15 Holdingham Roundabout, and then turn left (west) onto the A17
• Continue for 7.4 miles until the A17/C208 Coddington Roundabout, go straight over and continue along A17 to A1/A17/A46 roundabout, then go straight over onto A46 to A46/A1 Brownhills Roundabout
• Turn right (north) at Brownhills taking the third entry off onto the A1 northbound slip road to rejoin the A1.

A National Highways spokesperson said: "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time.

Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."

References

1. ^ emergency crews (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
2. ^ air ambulance (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)