Commuters faced nightmarish conditions on the M1 motorway this afternoon as a serious multi-vehicle collision brought southbound traffic to a standstill during peak travel hours.
Major Incident Between Leicester and Lutterworth
The incident occurred between Junction 23 for Leicester/Derby and Junction 22 for Markfield/Lutterworth, creating chaos for thousands of Friday travellers. Emergency services rushed to the scene following reports of a significant collision involving multiple vehicles.
Traffic monitoring systems reported queues stretching over five miles as authorities worked to clear the wreckage and assist those involved in the accident.
Travel Time Doubles Amid Gridlock
Drivers experienced delays of up to 90 minutes against expected journey times as all southbound lanes were affected. The gridlock created a domino effect across the region's road network, with many motorists seeking alternative routes through surrounding areas.
Highways England issued an urgent warning to travellers, stating: "Severe delays are building on the approach to the incident. Please allow extra journey time if travelling in this area this afternoon."
Emergency Response and Recovery
Multiple emergency vehicles including police cars, ambulance crews, and recovery vehicles were dispatched to manage the situation. Traffic officers worked tirelessly to establish a safe working area while managing the growing backlog of stationary vehicles.
The collision occurred during one of the busiest travel periods of the week, exacerbating the disruption for commuters heading home for the weekend and commercial vehicles making essential deliveries.
Alternative Routes Advised
Motorists were advised to seek alternative routes where possible, though many local roads quickly became congested as drivers attempted to bypass the motorway closure. Traffic experts suggested that disruption would likely continue into the evening rush hour even after the scene was cleared.
This incident marks another significant disruption on one of Britain's busiest motorways, highlighting the vulnerability of key transport corridors to unexpected closures.
