M1 serious crash live as busy motorway closed near Milton Keynes with huge queues reported

The road is likely to be closed into the night - police are in attendance along with National Highways and the road has been closed while work takes place at the scene

A major motorway has been closed to traffic heading north due to a serious crash with first responders at the scene.

The M1 is closed northbound between Junction 14 (Milton Keynes) and Junction 15 (Northampton) due to a serious collision. Emergency services including Northamptonshire Police are in attendance.

National Highways officials are also on scene providing assistance with traffic management.

Due to the nature of the incident, the road is likely to be closed into the night, a National Highways spokesperson said.

Diversion protocols are now in place.

This is an ongoing incident and you can follow the latest in our live blog down below.

02:45Rachel Vickers-Price

Closure impacting southbound traffic pushed back

Lane closures impacting southbound traffic on the M1 have seen their restoration timeframe extended by National Highways.

A National Highways spokesperson had previously confirmed that one lane has been closed between J15 (Northampton) and J14 (Milton Keynes) to allow traffic officers to undertake “carriageway lane management”.

Normal traffic conditions were expected to resume by 2.30am, with one of four lanes closed”.

According to recent data pulled from National Highways databases, normal traffic conditons are expected to resume by 5am for southbound lanes.

02:38Rachel Vickers-Price

Another ray of hope for commuters in next National Highways update

A National Highways spokesperson shared another glimmer of hope for motorists on the M1, or future motorists who may be dreading a longer trip into work or to undertake their daily tasks.

"We are hoping to be able to get lane four open past the scene shortly to allow the remaining traffic which is caught within the closure to get moving," the spokesperson said.

"Thanks for your continued patience."

02:32Rachel Vickers-Price

Ray of hope for commuters stuck in traffic lockdown

There is now a spot of good news for motorists who may be stuck on the M1.

According to a National Highways spokesperson: “We've now begun turning around vehicles caught within the closure from the back of the queue.

“Vehicles will be directed to a turn-around point to then join the southbound carriageway.”

The M1 remains closed northbound between J14 at Milton Keynes and J15 at Northampton.

02:27Rachel Vickers-Price

Closures to extend into rush hour

The latest National Highways data indicates that M1 closures will impact rush hour motorists. As the M1 serves as an arterial road that feeds traffic in and out of London, it is likely to have a severe knock-on effect for Wednesday traffic.

At time of writing, normal traffic conditions are now expected by 7am, which is well into the rush hour traffic peak.

Motorists are warned to plan ahead for any travel on Wednesday, with a National Highways spokesperson adding: “Delays are likely on approach to the closure and diversion routes.

“If this closure impacts your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.”

02:10Rachel Vickers-Price

Summary of current road closures impacting M1 motorists

Southbound

One of four lanes is closed to southbound traffic on the M1 near Milton Keynes, National Highways has confirmed.

Northbound

Closures on the northern side of the motorway span across all four lanes, entirely shuttering that section of the motorway between Northampton and Milton Keynes.

Access to the M1 is blockaded by National Highways at Milton Keynes.

01:08Rachel Vickers-Price

Access to M1 now closed as well as all northern bound lanes on motorway

Access to the M1 and the M1 itself has been closed off at Milton Keynes to northbound traffic.

National Highways has confirmed that “all lanes are closed” between Milton Keynes and Northampton, as well as access to the M1 at the Milton Keynes junction.

At time of writing, normal traffic conditions are still expected to resume for northbound motorists just before rush hour begins, at 4.45am.

01:05Rachel Vickers-Price

Closure for southbound commuters on M1

Lane closures are impacting southbound traffic of the M1 between the same two junctions as the northbound traffic crash earlier reported by The Mirror.

A National Highways spokesperson confirmed that one lane has been closed between J15 (Northampton) and J14 (Milton Keynes) to allow traffic officers to undertake “carriageway lane management”.

“There is one of four lanes closed,” the spokesperson said.” Normal traffic conditions are expected to resume by 2.30am.

00:48Rachel Vickers-Price

National Highways data reflects night-long closure

Data pulled by The Mirror from National Highways logs has confirmed the earlier statement issued by the UK motorway body.

At time of writing, National Highways provided 4.15am as a likely time at which the roadway will both be cleared and when traffic conditions will resume to its normal flow.

00:38Rachel Vickers-Price

Cameras in crash region taken offline

Motorway traffic cameras have been deactivated along the stretch of motorway on which a serious crash has occurred.

CCTV traffic camera website MotorwayCameras.co.uk now displays a "camera in operational use" message instead of showing footage from the actual section of road.

A spokesperson from the traffic CCTV site said that this does happen from time to time.

"You may see a camera displaying a 'camera in operational use' message. This message occurs when an agency or force [like the police, for example] takes manual control of the camera. This is to avoid images of incidents being available to the public and also to prevent identifiable marks such as vehicle registrations from being shown during the time of an incident," the spokesperson said.

"In some instances, a number of cameras may be taken offline near the scene of an incident."

00:27Rachel Vickers-Price

National Highways confirms night-long road closure

National Highways issued a statement confirming that the M1 will be shut down throughout the night.

"The road will remain closed throughout the night due to the nature of the incident. If you're caught within the closure, you'll be turned around when we're able to do so," a spokesperson said. "If you're currently held up between J13 and J14, this is because we have stopped traffic just before J14 to allow the road closure traffic management to be installed."

They added: "Thanks for your patience if you're held up."

00:23Rachel Vickers-Price

Road likely to be closed for extended period as emergency crews respond

National Highways has advised that the road is likely to be closed for some time.

All emergency services have raced to the scene of the M1, where massive queues can be seen leading up to the crash.

As per a National Highways statement, all emergency services were en route to the scene due to the serious nature of the incident.

Northamptonshire Police are in attendance.

00:13Rachel Vickers-Price

Traffic diversion now in place

A traffic diversion is now in place for northbound traffic on the M1. National Highways officers are at the scene to assist with traffic management.

National Highways has warned motorists to prepare for delays as congestion is likely for both the closure and associated diversion routes.

The diversion route is as follows:

• Exit at J14 and turn left onto the A509 to the Northfield Road Roundabout.
• Take the third exit westbound onto the A509 Portway.
• Continue on the A509 Portway passing over the Pineham, Pagoda, North Overgate, North Skeldon, Belvedere, North Secklow, North Saxon, North Witan and North Grafton roundabouts (nine in total) to the A5/A509 Portway Roundabout.
• At the A5/A509 take the third exit onto the A5 northwest.
• Continue on the A5 to the A5/A508/A422 Old Stratford Roundabout.
• At Old Stratford Roundabout take the fourth exit onto the A508 northeast.
• Continue on the A508 through Grafton Regis and Roade to re-join the M1 at J15

00:13Rachel Vickers-Price

National Highways reports that congestion is likely

A spokesperson for National Highways has confirmed that diversion protocols are now in place in the wake of a serious crash on the M1.

The road is shuttered to northbound traffic for motorists between junction 14 at Milton Keynes and junction 15 at Northampton.

Motorists are advised to follow the hollow diamond diversion symbol on road signs if travelling nearby.