M1 traffic LIVE as police and air ambulance rush to horror crash scene

A huge road crash[1] has closed part of the M1 motorway[2] this evening. The northbound carriageway in Hertfordshire, between J8 (Hemel Hempstead) and J9 (Flamstead), as air ambulance and emergency services[3] attend the scene. Traffic building between junction 8 and 9 is being funnelled off the motorway via lane four.

National Highways have also confirmed this will take some time to clear. The section of the road remains closed. The agency has warned a "significant" clean up operation is needed after the accident.

There have been warnings of delays of at least an hour. Read our breaking live blog below for more updates...

20:25Liam Doyle

Traffic map shows extent of congestion

Traffic maps from Highways England show the extent of the congestion, which extends several miles down the M1 and is not expected to clear for several hours yet.

Maps show the extent of tonight's massive congestion19:47Liam Doyle

Crash follows earlier incident on M1 requiring massive cleanup

The latest crash on the M1 follows a previous incident in the area, when two cars and two lorries crashed and closed the road for hours on end this afternoon. Emergency services had to shutter parts of the major traggic artery to clean up the area after having attended a lorry fire as traffic was caught in the resulting massive closure.

19:26Liam Doyle

Highways England pushes back expected traffic clearance time

Highways England now doesn't expect traffic on the M1 to fully clear until early in the morning on June 19.

The latest update from the service reads: "The event is expected to clear between 00:00 and 00:15 on 19 June 2025."

18:52Liam Doyle

Highways England warns 'normal traffic' not expected until nearly midnight

Highways England currently anticipates that traffic on the M1 is unlikely to return to normal until near midnight. The latest update on the organisation's site states that "normal conditions" aren't exepectedd between junctions J8 and J9 until "between 23:30 and 23:45 on 18 June 2025".

18:41KEY EVENT

Black moped believed to be only vehicle involved in collision

The incident that caused tonight's massive congestion reportedly involved a black moped, which was the only vehicle involved.

18:37Liam Doyle

M1 in Bedfordshire opens to northbound traffic amid three miles of congestion

Highways England has said the M1 in Bedfordshire has now opened within the J11 to northbound traffic, but that significant delays - caused by three miles of congestion - remain. The organisation said: "The M1 in Bedfordshire is now open northbound within J11.

However 2 lanes remain closed between J11 and J11a due to this incident and a separate earlier collision which resulted in a large spillage. There's an hour delay on approach and 3 miles of congestion."

18:27KEY EVENT

One man and woman confirmed injured

One man and one woman have been confirmed injured in this evening's crash, but there are no details on the extent or nature of their injuries.

A man and woman were reportedly involved in the crash (National Highways)18:16Liam Doyle

Motorists stuck in traffic as temperatures reach blistering 27C

Motorists have been left stuck in traffic in sweltering temperatures this evening, with the latest forecast showing that the mercury has surged to a blistering 27C.

18:06Liam Doyle

AA warns of 'long delays'

The AA has now chimed in with its own warning, stating that motorists are facing "long delays" due to a "serious crash" this evening. The service said in an update: "Road closed and long delays due to serious crash, a motorcyle involved on M1 Northbound from J8 A414 J7 (Hemel Hempstead) to J9 A5183 Dunstable Road (Redbourn).

Trapped traffic being released via lane 4."

17:57Chiara Fiorillo

Traffic expected to take time to clear

Vehicles caught between Junction 8 and 9 are now being funneled off the motorway via lane four. National Highways confirmed this will take some time to clear. The section of the road remains closed.

17:54KEY EVENT

Queues up to one hour expected

Once drivers rejoin the motorway at Junction 9, if they follow the advised diversion, there may be queues of up to an hour approaching Junction 11 northbound at Luton.

National Highways said a "significant" clean up operation is needed.

17:48Chiara Fiorillo

Police issued a statement

Hertfordshire Police has confirmed the road is closed in both directions. The force said in a statement: "Police were called at 3.55pm today to reports of a road traffic collision involving a black moped on the M1 travelling northbound near to junction 8. "Officers are in attendance along with colleagues from East of England Ambulance Service and Herts and Essex Air Ambulance Service.

"The carriageway is closed in both directions between junction 8 (Hemel Hempstead) and junction 9 (Luton), we ask that motorists seek alternative routes and avoid the area at this time."

The motorway is closed in both directions17:47Chiara Fiorillo

Drivers urged to follow diversion route

Drivers are being advised to follow the diversion route, which is:

• Exit the M1 at J8 on to the A414
• Continue on the A414 until the roundabout with the A4147
• Take the third exit onto the A4147 travelling northbound
• At the next roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the A4147
• Shortly after, take the third exit at the roundabout which remains the A4147
• At the next roundabout, take the third exit onto the B487
• Remain on the B487 until the roundabout with the A5183
• Take the second exit onto the A5183
• Travel on this road and rejoin the M1 at J9

17:39KEY EVENT

Police say roads closed in both directions

In a statement, Hertfordshire Police said: "Police were called at 3.55pm today to reports of a road traffic collision involving a black moped on the M1 travelling northbound near to junction 8.

"Officers are in attendance along with colleagues from East of England Ambulance Service and Herts and Essex Air Ambulance Service.

"The carriageway is closed in both directions between junction 8 (Hemel Hempstead) and junction 9 (Luton), we ask that motorists seek alternative routes and avoid the area at this time."

References

1. ^ road crash (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ motorway (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ emergency services (www.mirror.co.uk)