The M1 traffic disruption linked to the M1 crash live: motorway closed both ways near Leicester as car comes off bridge continues at 16:25 BST on Friday, 10 April 2026, with the motorway fully shut in both directions between Junction 20 (Lutterworth) and Junction 21 (Leicester) after a car left a bridge and collided with a van on the carriageway below. The road was closed at 13:35 BST by National Highways, which confirmed the severity of the crash, fuel spill risks and the need for a prolonged, police-led closure.
The M1 crash live: motorway closed both ways near Leicester as car comes off bridge response remains active, with Leicestershire Police, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service and East Midlands Ambulance Service, alongside the Air Ambulance Service, continuing operations at the scene. National Highways said the vehicle left the Church Lane overbridge and entered the southbound carriageway before colliding with a van, resulting in fuel and oil spillagesand triggering what it described as a “protracted closure” due to the need for a full accident investigation. The WP Times reports this, citing British media and National Highways updates.
At 16:09 BST, National Highways confirmed the motorway remains shut due to a “police-led incident”, with all emergency services working across both carriageways. By 16:21 BST, Leicestershire Police issued a public traffic alert urging drivers to find alternative routes, confirming that both northbound and southbound lanes between J20 and J21 remain closed.
Drivers report being stuck in stationary traffic for up to three hours, with congestion extending beyond the immediate motorway section and affecting surrounding routes including the A46. One motorist wrote: “We’ve been stuck for three hours now,” while another added: “Backing up on A46 from this too — hope all involved are OK” (driver comments, traffic updates, 16:28 BST, 10 April 2026).
“Our crews are attending a road traffic collision on the M1 southbound between Junctions 20 and 21. This is an ongoing incident — motorists should avoid the area and expect delays” (Leicestershire, 10 April 2026).
Key facts at 16:25–16:28 BST
| Detail | Confirmed |
|---|---|
| Incident | M1 crash live: motorway closed both ways near Leicester as car comes off bridge |
| Location | Between J20 (Lutterworth) and J21 (Leicester) |
| Road status | Closed in both directions |
| Time of closure | 13:35 BST |
| Cause | Vehicle left a bridge and collided with a van |
| Additional hazards | Fuel and oil spill on carriageway |
| Incident status | Police-led investigation ongoing |
| Emergency response | Police, fire, ambulance and air ambulance |
| Traffic conditions | Delays exceeding three hours; queues beyond motorway network |
| Reopening | No confirmed timeframe |
Diversion routes
Northbound traffic
Drivers are advised to leave the M1 at J20, follow the A4303 westbound to the A5, continue north to the M69, and rejoin the M1 beyond the closure.
Southbound traffic
Drivers should exit at J21, follow the M69 southbound to the A5, continue south before taking the A4303 eastbound, and rejoin the M1 at J20.
Operational position
The M1 crash live: motorway closed both ways near Leicester as car comes off bridge incident remains ongoing, with the motorway fully closed while a police-led collision investigation is carried out. Recovery operations are also under way due to fuel and oil spillages on the carriageway, which must be cleared before the road can safely reopen.
Delays have already extended to several hours, with congestion spreading beyond the M1 to surrounding routes, including the A46 and parts of the local road network.
As of 16:25–16:28 BST, there is no confirmed timeframe for reopening, and disruption is expected to continue.
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