M1 closed overnight for repairs after lorry fire and oil spillage
The M1 will be closed southbound overnight[1] after a diesel spillage on the road in the wake of a lorry fire. National Highways announced that 1,500 square feet of the road need to be resurfaced urgently after the incident, which occurred between Junction 28 for South Normanton and Junction 29 for Heath[2] on the southbound carriageway.
At the time of writing, traffic is still completely gridlocked for around eight miles[3] behind the point of the closure, with tailbacks all the way to junction 30 for Barlborough. Delays of two hours are reported on the approach to the closure as of 7pm (Tuesday, June 20).
There is still no news on when the traffic stuck at the scene is likely to be allowed to move. Vehicles stuck within the confines of the barriers at either side of the closure have been allowed to use the right-hand side lane to move on, but the rest outside of the closure are still stationary.
Motorists and passengers responded to the news on Twitter.[4] One person said: "So what if we're stuck on it then?". Another asked: "What are you doing to get vehicles off the motorway? Been stuck just past 29A for hours and vehicles are still trying to get onto the M1! Why isn't that junction shut?"
The incident with the lorry happened between 3pm and 4pm this afternoon (June 20). Pictures show a lorry with its front portion burnt out on the side of the carriageway.
The fire was put out relatively soon after it had started, with the cause of it still unspecified. But the diesel fuel spill which resulted is described as "significant" by National Highways.
Traffic was stopped at around 3.45pm. Initially, only one lane was closed, before all four were shut when the gravity of the situation came to light.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area with traffic aggregator INRIX stating that traffic is heavy in surrounding areas such as Chesterfield, Mansfield, Alfreton, Clay Cross and Ollerton. A hollow square symbol diversion is in place, with those who'd usually get on the motorway at J29 advised to head south on the A617 towards Mansfield, then head south on the A607, and then head west on the A38 to return to J28.
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References
- ^ M1 will be closed southbound overnight (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
- ^ Heath (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
- ^ completely gridlocked for around eight miles (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
- ^ Twitter. (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
- ^ M1 closed with two-hour delays after lorry fire and oil spillage (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
- ^ Sign up to our newsletter here. (data.reachplc.com)