Drivers have been warned to "expect delays" of more than 60 minutes after a collision occurred on a major motorway this morning.
Due to the incident, the M1 in Leicestershire has now been closed southbound between J21 (M69, Leicester) and J20 (Lutterworth), with traffic operating at just 3mph.
The incident involved a vehicle and a motorbike, with the M1 southbound closed to provide the East Midlands Ambulance Service to attend the scene.
Traffic has also been held temporarily on the northbound carriageway by National Highways Traffic Officers to allow the Air Ambulance Service to land directly at the scene.
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The collision involved a motorbike and a vehicle on the M1
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
As part of the closures, National Highways has put a diversion route in place with southbound diverted traffic advised to follow the hollow square diversion symbol.
The diversion advises drivers to exit the M1 southbound at Junction 21 and take the third exit (south or west) onto the M69.
From here, drivers should continue south or westbound on the M69 for approximately 14.5km to Junction 1/A5 Interchange of the M69.
At Junction 1 of the M69, drivers need to exit the motorway and take the first exit (left) onto the A5 southbound. They should continue along the A5 southbound for approximately 10.3km to the A5/A4303 Cross in Hand Roundabout.
At the roundabout, drivers should take the first exit (left) onto the A4303 eastbound.Continue eastbound along the A4303, passing through the roundabouts at Magna Park and Coventry Road to the A5/A426Lutterworth Road/Rugby Road Roundabout.
From here, drivers have been advised to take the second exit (straight ahead) and continue eastbound along the A4303 to M1 Junction 20, then rejoin the M1 southbound.
National Highways warned: "If this closure impacts your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to reroute or even delay your journey."
Normal traffic conditions are expected to return between 11.30am and 11.45am later this morning.
In the latest update, National Highways shared on X: "M1 south J21 LeicesterM69 - J20 Lutterworth remains closed with emergency services still at scene.
"Air Ambulance has left scene, however, traffic remains blocked on M1 north due to an animal being loose in the carriageway."
Leicestershire Police warned drivers: "Please be advised that the M1 is closed in both directions at Junction 20-21 northbound and southbound due to a road traffic incident. Please find alternative routes; updates will follow. Thank you for your patience."
National Highways has revised its congestion times, warning drivers they now face delays of 60 minutes northbound and 45 minutes southbound.
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The roads have been closed southbound due to the incident
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Traffic is now being released past the scene, with one lane of the motorway being released at a time, but due to the volume of traffic, National Highways warned that it may take some time before drivers see any movement.
