The issue is on the northbound carriageway of the M1, between junction 40 (Wakefield) and junction 41 (Carr Gate). A lorry had broken down and was obstructing two of the four lanes. Lanes one and two were closed while the situation was dealt with.
![Traffic at junction 40 (Wakefield) on the northbound carriageway of the M1]()
Traffic at junction 40 (Wakefield) on the northbound carriageway of the M1 (Image: National Highways) At 7.39am, National Highways: Yorkshire warned those travelling that there were delays in excess of 30 minutes currently with traffic officers and recovery at the scene. But in an update just after 9am, the Government agency said there were now "severe delays of 90 minutes". It added: "The HGV has been recovered and scene now clear so congestion will begin to ease."
![Traffic at junction 39 on the northbound carriageway of the M1]()
Traffic at junction 39 on the northbound carriageway of the M1 (Image: National Highways) Congestion was reportedly stretching back as far as junction 38 (Huddersfield) at one point.
The average speed limit at that time there was 37 miles per hour, according to National Highways.
This dropped right down to seven miles per hour at junction 39 and then six miles per hour at junction 40, before rising to 34mph at junction 41.
