M40 closed: Drivers braced for nine miles of congestion along major motorway route after huge lorry fire
Journey times could be increased by up to 60 minutes
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Motorists are being urged to avoid a popular motorway route following a serious lorry fire, with traffic experts warning of severe delays.
One lane (of three) is closed on the M40 southbound between J11 Banbury and J10 Northampton as a result of a lorry fire.
National Highways: East is warning that drivers can expect around nine miles of congestion on the approach to the closure.
It is believed that the delays will add more than 60 minutes to the average journey time.
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There are around nine miles of congestion
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
The latest traffic data from National Highways suggests that the event is expected to clear between 11am and 11.15am.
However, normal traffic conditions are not expected until midday at the earliest.
Overhead cameras along the motorway show standstill traffic for a large section of the road as drivers commute to work.
The traffic disruption is also impacting businesses around the area, including the Oxford travel network.
Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, OxonTravel stated that drivers should allow for extra time for their journey.
The statement added: "We are experiencing delays in #Banbury with over 60 min of traffic on the #A423 #SouthamRoad Southbound."
It comes as motorists face further congestion on nearby roads, with the A14 and A43 impacted.
Traffic maps show vehicles not moving along the A43 with further delays expected for people looking to avoid the traffic on J11 of the M40.
Two of three lanes on the A14 westbound between J23 Godmanchester and J22 (A1) were closed due to a broken down lorry, but has since reopened.
There were two miles of congestion along the A14, although these are now clearing.
National Highways: East clarified that long delays of 45 minutes do remain, but should start to ease shortly.
GB News has contacted Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service for a comment.
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Long delays remain at the scene following the lorry fire
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
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