The M40 was closed after a lorry caught fire causing chaos on the road and trapping drivers in their cars for three hours.
Drivers are stuck for hours, with one driver even forced to reverse down the motorway to avoid the backlog near Hockley Heath.
3
Motorists were stuck in three-hour delays after a lorry caught fire on the M40
3
Drivers stuck in traffic say the situation is getting ‘pretty desperate’
Motorway users trapped by the closure were stuck behind the wheel for three hours between J16 for Hockley Heath and J15 for Warwick.
One desperate driver reached out to Xo and complained, posting, “I’ve been stuck for over two hours, lots of vehicles in reverse I don’t mean officially, but now I’m getting pretty desperate.”
Two of the three lanes were closed before it was completely closed, with traffic moving only in the third lane.
A photo from the scene shows a charred truck that burned down to its metal structure.
The blackened packaging lies scattered on the ground, and the tarpaulin is completely burned.
West Midlands National Highways has warned that traffic delays are expected following the closure, with congestion returning to J3A of the M42.
The motorway maintenance service posted on X: “The M40 is now closed southbound between J16, Hockley Heath and J15, Warwick due to an ongoing lorry fire.”
Previously updated: “The M40 southbound between J16, Hockley Heath and J15, Warwick, lanes one and two of three are closed due to a lorry fire.
“Traffic takes place only in the third lane.
“Current delays are in excess of 30 minutes on the approach, with congestion back on the M42 J3A.”
One frustrated driver claimed they were stuck behind the truck for “two and a half hours”.
At 15:50 they announced on Xu: “Not moved for two and a half hours, we are close to the front, but nothing looks imminent yet.”
Another tagged National Highways in the post, asking: “Any news for people directly caught up in the incident?
“We’ve been here for over two hours.”
Detour road
Road users are advised to follow the hollow circle turning symbol on road signs
- Exit the M40 southbound at J16 and take the second exit onto the A3400 towards Henley-in-Arden
- Continue for approximately 3 miles to the junction with the A4189
- At the A4189 junction turn left towards Warwick
- Travel along the A4189 for approximately 6.5 miles, to the junction with the B4463
- At the B4463 junction turn right, towards Warwick
- Stay on the B4463 until the junction with the A46
- Take the second exit, towards the M40
- Rejoin the M40 at J15
Just before 4 p.m., a post on Xu said nothing had changed, reading: “Not moved in two and a half hours, we’re close to the front, but nothing looks imminent.”
National Highways said traffic trapped inside the closure will be immediately allowed past the scene, so motorists should see movement soon.
Regarding the incident, they said: “Emergency services, including Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, are at the scene.
“National Highways Traffic Officers are also present to assist with traffic management.”
More to come… Keep checking The Sun Online for the latest on this story
Thesun.co.uk is your destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, stunning pictures and must-see videos.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @Sun.
3
The M40 was closed leaving motorists stuck in traffic for hours Credit: Alamy
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education