M1 closed in both directions after lorry overturns near East Midlands Airport with drivers warned of huge queues

A MAJOR motorway has been closed in both directions after a lorry overturned near a UK airport. The M1 has been shut in Leicestershire between junction 24, for Kegworth, and junction 23A for East Midlands Airport. Huge queues from Junctions 23 and 24 after lorry overturns near Kegworth on M1 Credit: National Highways There are massive queues this morning and diversion routes in place Credit: National Highways A lorry overturned and is lying over the central reservation barrier, said National Highways. Motorists are now facing lengthy delays during rush-hour and are being advised to plan ahead with their journeys. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Some drivers have posted on social media claiming they have been waiting for more than an hour in stationary traffic. Motorists were pictured bumper-to-bumper as traffic slowed down to a crawl. Emergency services including Leicestershire Police are in attendance. National Highways Traffic Officers and contractors are also on scene providing assistance with traffic management. National Highways said in a statement: “M1 both directions J24 (Kegworth) and J23 (Loughborough) remains closed due to an overturned vehicle. “Recovery work is ongoing. Most read in The Sun “Delays: 60 mins on M1 south, 40 mins on M1 north and 70 mins on the A42 north on approach to the M1.” “A complex recovery operation will be ongoing at scene throughout the morning.” Bus operator Trentbarton says the overturned lorry on the M1 is causing “significant disruption” to its skylink services, which go towards East Midlands Airport. In a post shared on X, formerly Twitter, at 7.50am, a spokesperson for the company said: “Skylink Nottingham is currently terminating at East Midlands Airport. “We can’t serve stops between Building 100 and East Midlands Gateway at the moment. skylink express is operating via Kegworth in both directions and is currently running up to 30 minutes late. “If you’re travelling this morning, please allow extra time for your journey. “We apologise for the inconvenience caused by circumstances beyond our control and thank you for your patience while the incident is dealt with. We’ll keep you updated as the situation develops.” Diversion routes Northbound diversion details Exit the M1 northbound at Junction 23a. Take the slip road onto the A42. At Finger Farm Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A453 southbound. Continue southbound on the A453 to the A453/A50/M1 J24 interchange. Rejoin the M1 northbound carriageway at J24. Southbound diversion details Exit the M1 southbound at Junction 24. Take the 4th exit onto the A453 southbound. Continue southbound on the A453 to the M1 J23a / A42 / A453 Finger Farm Roundabout. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the M1/A42 southbound entry slip road. Continue onto the M1 southbound free-flow lane. Rejoin the main M1 southbound carriageway at J23a.