A major incident involving a tanker and a car has forced the closure of a busy section of the M40 motorway, causing significant disruption and a hazardous chemical spill.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Closure
The collision occurred at approximately 7:45pm on Monday, November 18, on the M40 southbound between Oxford and Watlington. According to National Highways, the incident involved a car and a tanker carrying bitumen, a substance used in road surfacing.
Specialist teams are currently working at the scene alongside emergency services to manage the situation. A spokesperson for National Highways confirmed that crews are working to "safely contain and clear a spillage of bitumen from the damaged tanker".
Safety Measures and Traffic Impact
The main carriageway remains closed for safety reasons overnight. National Highways has stated that the main carriageway must stay closed because bitumen is hazardous in large quantities and can damage the road surface.
To alleviate the situation for stranded motorists, lane three within the closure has been reopened to release trapped traffic. However, a full inspection of the carriageway for structural damage is required before the road can be safely reopened to all vehicles.
Specialist recovery has been arranged and is expected to work through the night to recover the damaged tanker. Drivers are being urged to avoid the area and seek alternative routes as long delays are reported.
