Long delays on M1 due to fire

Firefighters were called after a lorry caught fire on the hard shoulder of the M1 between junction 21 and 21a on Friday afternoon (8 Oct).

The vehicle was parked directly below an overhead gantry and Highways England said the carriageway remains closed to allow inspections to the overhead gantry to take place.

There are severe delays of at least 120 minutes above usual journey times between J20 and J21.

The queue of traffic approaching the closure at J21 spans over 7 miles in total.

There are also long delays of at least 45 minutes on the M69 northbound approaching the M1 and on the M1 southbound between J21a and J21 where lane 4 has been closed.

Traffic within the closure is advised to remain in their vehicle and await instruction from a police or traffic officer.  

Further information is available from Highways England by visiting our  www.trafficengland.com  website and travel apps, or via our regional twitter feed. Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 5000. 

Diversion route

• Hollow triangle via the A5460, A563 and A50 re-joining at J22.
• Exit the M1 northbound at Junction 21 and take the third exit from the junction onto the A5460 eastbound.
• Continue east along the A5460 and take the first exit north onto the A563 slip road to the A563 Lubbesthorpe Way/Meridian Roundabout.
• Take the third exit from the roundabout northbound onto A563 Lubbesthorpe Way.
• Continue north on the A563 passing through the A563/A47 Hinckley Road, A563 Scudamore Road Roundabouts, Park View junction, Glenfield Roundabout, Aikman Road and Dillon Way junctions to the A563/A59 Groby Road Roundabout.
• At the roundabout take the first exit (left) onto the A50 westbound.
• Continue westbound on the A50 passing through the A50 Station Road Roundabout to the A50/A46 Interchange.
• At the Interchange take the second exit and continue along the A50 passing through the Lena Drive junction, Bradgate Hill and Fieldhead Roundabouts to A50/M1 Junction 22 Interchange.
• At the Interchange take the fourth exit and rejoin the M1 northbound.