M1 traffic RECAP: Huge crash in torrential rain sparks chaos as air ambulance lands

A crash in torrential rain forced the closure of part of the M1, causing major delays. National Highways said the motorway was closed northbound between Junction 34 for Meadowhall and Junction 35 for Thorpe due to the collision. Emergency services, including South Yorkshire Police[1] and an air ambulance, attended the scene.

Google[2] Traffic maps showed heavy congestion on several surrounding roads in and out of Sheffield and Rotherham.

19:11Eliana Nunes

All northbound lanes have reopened

All lanes on the M1 northbound have reopened, but traffic remains slow. Traffic monitoring site Inrix reported: "Slow traffic due to earlier accident on M1 Northbound from J34 A631 Tinsley Viaduct (Meadowhall) to J35 A629 Cowley Hill (Rotherham/ Chapeltown). All lanes have re-opened."

19:09Eliana Nunes

Police issue statement

South Yorkshire Police has issued a traffic update: "The southbound carriageway of the M1 has now fully reopened.

Lane closures are still in place on the northbound carriageway between junction 34 and 35. Please be aware that there is a lot of traffic on roads near the junctions. We would urge drivers to please avoid the area if they can and find alternative routes of travel.

Thank you for your co-operation."

17:31KEY EVENT

Motorists stuck in traffic for 'two hours'

One driver on the M1 has said on Facebook that she has been stuck on the M1 for around two hours. She wrote: "We are near the cranes. Must of been here about two hours now."

17:28Eliana Nunes

Accident expected to clear by 6pm

National Highways said the accident will likely clear between 5.45pm and 6pm this evening.

The northbound carriageway remains shut, while all lanes southbound reopened earlier.

16:52Eliana Nunes

Traffic being released

Traffic held in the M1 closure is now being allowed through the fourth lane past the scene, National Highways said.

16:10KEY EVENT

Where did the crash happen?

Details of the crash location have not yet been released, but both carriageways of the M1 between junctions 34 and 35 are affected. Witnesses stuck in traffic reported seeing "numerous ambulances and fire engines" at the scene on the M1 southbound, according to YorkshireLive.

Standstill traffic along the M1 between junctions 34 and 35 (Google Maps)16:05KEY EVENT

Diversion in place

Drivers are being warned a diversion is in place to avoid the closed stretch of motorway. National Highways is advising people to use the following route:

• Exit the M1 and take the third exit and continue under M1 on lowerlevel of the viaduct to the next roundabout (M1 J34 N).
• At the roundabout take fourth exit onto A6109 (Meadow Bank Road) and proceed to next roundabout with the A629.
• At the roundabout, take first exit onto A629 (Wortley Road) andproceed along this road for 4 miles to the junction with M1(J35).
• At the roundabout, take the third exit to rejoin M1 North.

16:04Eliana Nunes

South Yorkshire Police urges people to avoid area

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: "Please be aware that a road closure is in place for the southbound carriageway of the M1 junctions 35-34 and the northbound carriageway between junctions 34-35 due to a road traffic collision.

We are advising people to avoid the area and plan an alternative route if possible."

References

1. ^ South Yorkshire Police (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ Google (www.mirror.co.uk)