M1 Southbound Closed After Serious Multi-Vehicle Crash Causes Holiday Weekend Delays

A significant portion of the M1 motorway was shut down due to a serious multi-vehicle collision, causing substantial delays and long queues for numerous drivers during the August Bank Holiday weekend. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, August 24th, involved multiple vehicles and resulted in the closure of the southbound carriageway between Junction 13, near Bedford, and Junction 12, near Flitwick.

Emergency services, including Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, the East of England Ambulance Service, and the East Anglian Air Ambulance, responded to the scene of the accident. The closure of the southbound carriageway led to considerable traffic congestion, with drivers facing significant delays.

As a result of the incident, drivers were advised to allow extra time for their journeys. Traffic maps indicated a thick line of backed-up traffic extending towards Junction 14, as vehicles approached the diversion route at Junction 13. Delays of up to 90 minutes were reported on the southbound M1 between Junctions 13 and 14.

Authorities anticipated that normal traffic conditions would return between 10:30 PM and 10:45 PM, although these estimates were subject to change. The police were conducting an investigation, and the road between Junctions 12 and 13 might not reopen until the following morning.

National Highways confirmed that an overturned vehicle was involved in the collision and that they were working to clear the scene. Drivers were instructed to follow the official diversion route, which involved exiting the M1 at Junction 13 and utilizing a series of local roads to rejoin the motorway at Junction 12.

A Bedfordshire Police spokesperson confirmed the presence of an air ambulance and stated that emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 1:30 PM following reports of the collision. The northbound carriageway was temporarily closed to allow the air ambulance to attend. The police thanked those affected by the closures for their patience and advised anyone planning to use the M1 to seek alternative routes.