M1 traffic chaos as motorway closed after serious police incident

Drivers are facing huge delays with all traffic temporarily held on a busy section of this afternoon.

The closure of both sides of the was prompted by a police incident. On the M1 Northbound, traffic has been held from J4 in Elstree and J5 in Watford and vehicles have also been stopped on the southbound between J6 in Bricket Wood and J5, National Highways said on Tuesday.

The agency warned that motorists should expect heavy traffic congestion. Traffic monitoring website Inrix also reported disruption, saying "long delays" should be expected between the J4 A41 and J5 A41 Colne Way.

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Live cameras show the extent of the traffic chaos on the M1 this afternoon following the incident with no details yet having been released by authorities on what happened.

Queues are continuing to build despite emergency services confirming the incident has now been resolved. The traffic is expected to ease within the hour, according to National Highways but during the current rush hour people can expect to see delays of up to an hour.

The message on social media from National Highways: East at 5pm read: "@HertsPolice incident is resolved and traffic released in all lanes on the #M1 northbound between J4 #Elstree and J5 #Watford and southbound between J6 #BricketWood and J5 Please allow time for delays to ease. Delays in excess of 30 to 45 minutes."

Meanwhile, there has also been a collision between two cars on the M11 between Junction 6 and 7 which has led to six miles of congestion, and a car has caught fire on the M25 by Junction 12 and 13 which are adding to the general delays in the area during rush hour.

In the latest message from National Highways over the M11 incident it said that the vehicles involved in the crash have now been removed from the motorway but there are delays of more than an hour.

The statement on X read: "Delays in excess of 1 hour on the #M11 southbound following a collision closing 2 (of 3) lanes between J7 (#Harlow) and J6 (#M25). Approx. 2.5 miles of congestion." And then the latest update said: "Collision cleared and all lanes are open on the #M11 southbound between J7 (#Harlow) and J6 (#M25) Delays in excess of 60 minutes, approx. 6 miles of congestion. Please allow time for the delays to ease."

And over the car fire on the M25 the agency stated: "Traffic is being held on the #M25 anti-clockwise between J13 #Staines and J12 (#M3) following a car fire. @SurreyFRS on scene. Delays are building on approach, we'll keep you updated." With an update at 5.30pm stating: "Traffic has been released in all lanes on the #M25 anti-clockwise between J13 #Staines and J12 (#M3) following the car fire. Approx. 3 miles of congestion. Please allow time for the delays to ease."