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| Motorists delayed in M1 closure | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Motorists were stuck in traffic for more than three hours after the M1 in Northamptonshire was shut. | |
| Vehicles ground to a halt when the motorway closed northbound at junction 16 and southbound at junction 18 after a van caught fire on the hard shoulder. | Vehicles ground to a halt when the motorway closed northbound at junction 16 and southbound at junction 18 after a van caught fire on the hard shoulder. |
| Both carriageways reopened after fire crews removed a propane gas cylinder from the van. | Both carriageways reopened after fire crews removed a propane gas cylinder from the van. |
| The road closure caused tailbacks of 10 miles on the northbound carriageway between junctions 15 and 16. | The road closure caused tailbacks of 10 miles on the northbound carriageway between junctions 15 and 16. |
| The southbound carriageway was moving again at 1600 BST but there was a delay to re-open the northbound stretch - because some motorists had left their vehicles to stretch their legs. | The southbound carriageway was moving again at 1600 BST but there was a delay to re-open the northbound stretch - because some motorists had left their vehicles to stretch their legs. |
| The police helicopter had to hover overhead so officers could inform drivers the road had reopened. | |
| It has been an absolute nightmare for motorists who have been stuck in their vehicles for up to three hours Kevin Petrie from online traffic operator Keepmoving.co.uk | It has been an absolute nightmare for motorists who have been stuck in their vehicles for up to three hours Kevin Petrie from online traffic operator Keepmoving.co.uk |
| Both carriageways of the motorway, near Watford Gap services, reopened after 1700 BST. | Both carriageways of the motorway, near Watford Gap services, reopened after 1700 BST. |
| The incident also sparked heavy congestion in nearby roads, especially at the A45/A5 Weedon crossroads and also in the area of Whilton. Roads in Northampton were also choked. | The incident also sparked heavy congestion in nearby roads, especially at the A45/A5 Weedon crossroads and also in the area of Whilton. Roads in Northampton were also choked. |
| One man contacted the BBC by e-mail to say: "Mayhem! Gridlocked completely in and around Daventry as people get on to the A5 or come through the town to join the A45 instead of staying on the M1. | One man contacted the BBC by e-mail to say: "Mayhem! Gridlocked completely in and around Daventry as people get on to the A5 or come through the town to join the A45 instead of staying on the M1. |
| "It is always the same when the motorway is blocked. Some local people can't get home - even though it is only 2/3 miles up the road to a village." | "It is always the same when the motorway is blocked. Some local people can't get home - even though it is only 2/3 miles up the road to a village." |
| The M45 which was closed at its approach to the M1 has also reopened. | The M45 which was closed at its approach to the M1 has also reopened. |
| Kevin Petrie, from online traffic information service Keepmoving.co.uk, said: "It has been an absolute nightmare for motorists who have been stuck in their vehicles for up to three hours. | |
| "There were tailbacks of between eight and 10 miles on the northbound carriageway of the M1 and there was an enormous amount of trapped vehicles between junctions 16 and 18. | "There were tailbacks of between eight and 10 miles on the northbound carriageway of the M1 and there was an enormous amount of trapped vehicles between junctions 16 and 18. |
| "There are problems in Northampton and the A45 has been solid all day." | "There are problems in Northampton and the A45 has been solid all day." |
| All trains running along the West coast mainline had been stopped but services have now been resumed. | All trains running along the West coast mainline had been stopped but services have now been resumed. |
| Virgin Trains spokesman David Ewart said: "We had to divert all train services via Northampton from 1430 with delays of about 30 minutes. Normal services had resumed by 1600." | Virgin Trains spokesman David Ewart said: "We had to divert all train services via Northampton from 1430 with delays of about 30 minutes. Normal services had resumed by 1600." |
Are you in the area? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in the area? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to + 44 (0) 7725 100 100 | You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to + 44 (0) 7725 100 100 |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
| When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |