Severe traffic chaos has erupted on a major UK motorway after a heavy goods vehicle careered off the carriageway, causing extensive delays and prompting a major emergency response.
Incident Details and Immediate Impact
The serious incident occurred on the M1 southbound at junction 35 for the A629 Cowley Hill in Rotherham. According to the traffic monitoring system Inrix, all traffic was held following the accident. The disruption began at 11am on Monday, 12th January 2026, bringing southbound traffic to a complete standstill.
In addition to the main carriageway closure, the entry slip road at junction 35 has also been shut to allow emergency crews to work safely. Large queues are rapidly building as a result of the closure, with delays expected to last for several hours.
Emergency Response and Travel Advice
Emergency services are currently at the scene dealing with the aftermath of the HGV crash. Their priority is to clear the vehicle and make the area safe for recovery operations to begin.
Authorities have issued a clear instruction to drivers: avoid the area entirely if possible. Motorists planning to use this section of the M1 are strongly advised to seek alternative routes to prevent adding to the congestion and to allow emergency vehicles clear access.
Ongoing Disruption and Looking Ahead
The closure is causing significant knock-on effects across the local road network in South Yorkshire. With one of the country's key transport arteries severely compromised, commuters and freight face lengthy detours.
While recovery work is underway, there is no immediate estimate for when the motorway will fully reopen. Drivers are urged to check live traffic updates before commencing their journeys and to expect severe delays in the Rotherham area for the remainder of the day.
