M1 traffic stopped near airport due to vehicle fire

3 hours ago

Greig WatsonEast Midlands

News image — The road surface of the M1 - between junctions 23A and 24 - will have to be inspected, officials have said

National Highways Traffic camera view of the motorway, with two fire appliances beside a van-type vehicle from which smoke is billowing — The road surface of the M1 - between junctions 23A and 24 - will have to be inspected, officials have said

A vehicle fire has closed the M1 southbound in Leicestershire, disrupting traffic near East Midlands Airport.

Problems were reported shortly after 13:00 GMT on Tuesday, between junction 24 and junction 23a, due to the fire that resulted in a diesel spillage across the carriageway.

National Highways said emergency services were in attendance and specialist contractors were en route to assess and treat the contaminated road surface.

Officials said a full safety inspection of the carriageway would be needed and those travelling in the area, especially to the airport, should allow more time for their journeys.

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