A major New Year's Eve travel disruption is unfolding on the M1 in Buckinghamshire after a collision led to a significant oil spill, forcing a partial closure of the motorway.
Early Morning Incident Causes Chaos
The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, 31st December 2025. Traffic was held on the M1 northbound between junction 14 for Milton Keynes and junction 15 for Northampton at around 5.30am following the crash. The collision resulted in an oil spillage across lanes, creating a hazardous situation for drivers and necessitating immediate action from emergency services and highway teams.
Ongoing Lane Closures and Travel Advice
National Highways has confirmed that while some traffic has now been released, severe restrictions remain in place. Lanes 3 and 4 (of four) are still closed to allow for clean-up and recovery operations. Currently, only lanes 1 and 2 are open to traffic, causing considerable congestion and long delays for those travelling north.
The agency has urged motorists to allow a significant amount of extra time for their journeys if they must travel in the area. They have also thanked drivers for their patience as crews work to resolve the situation. The closure is impacting one of the country's key transport arteries on a day when many people are travelling for New Year celebrations.
What Travelers Need to Know
The affected stretch is a crucial link between Milton Keynes and Northampton. Drivers are strongly advised to check live traffic updates before setting out. Alternative routes, such as the A508 or A5, are likely to be experiencing heavier traffic than usual due to the diversion.
With clean-up operations for the oil spill underway, there is currently no estimated time for when all lanes will fully reopen. Travelers should expect disruption to continue for several hours into New Year's Eve.
