Major M1 Motorway Closure After Dramatic Bridge Crash in Leicestershire
The M1 motorway has been completely shut down in both directions between Leicester and Loughborough following a serious incident where a car crashed off a bridge and collided with a van on the carriageway below. The closure was implemented at approximately 1:35 PM on Friday, April 10, 2026, and is expected to remain in place for an extended period.
Emergency Response and Investigation Underway
According to National Highways, the incident involved a two-vehicle road traffic collision between a car and a van. The car reportedly left the Church Lane over bridge and entered the southbound carriageway, where it struck a van. The closure was necessary to provide a safe working environment for multiple emergency services, including Leicestershire Police, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, East Midlands Ambulance Service, and the Air Ambulance Service.
A spokesperson for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed their crews are attending the ongoing incident on the M1 southbound between Junctions 20 and 21. National Highways has indicated that confirmed oil and fuel spillages are present at the scene, and accident investigation teams are en route. They have warned that this will likely be a protracted closure due to the need for thorough investigation before the road can safely reopen.
Significant Traffic Delays and Diversion Routes
Motorists are facing substantial delays in the area. Google Maps is reporting heavy traffic causing delays of approximately 35 minutes, while traffic monitoring service Inrix has confirmed 35-minute delays with stop-start traffic between Junctions 20 and 21. Leicestershire Police has strongly advised drivers to avoid the motorway if possible and to plan their journeys accordingly.
Detailed diversion routes have been established for both northbound and southbound traffic:
- Southbound diverted traffic: Exit at Junction 21, take the third exit onto the M69, continue to M69 junction 1, exit onto the A5 southbound, continue to the A5/A4303 Cross in Hand Roundabout, take the first exit onto the A4303 eastbound, continue through Magna Park and Coventry Road roundabouts to the A5/A426 Lutterworth Road/Rugby Road Roundabout, take the second exit continuing eastbound on A4303 to M1 Junction 20, then rejoin the M1 southbound.
- Northbound diverted traffic: Exit at Junction 20, take the first exit onto the A4303, continue to the A4303/A426 Lutterworth Road/Rugby Road Roundabout, take the second exit continuing westbound on A4303 through Coventry Road and Magna Park roundabouts to A5/A4303 Cross in Hand Roundabout, take the fourth exit proceeding north on the A5 for approximately 10.3km to the A5/M69 Junction 1 Interchange, take the fifth exit onto the M69 northbound for approximately 14.5km to M69 Junction 2/M1 Junction 20, then rejoin the M1 northbound.
All emergency services are urging the public to stay clear of the area and expect continued disruption as they work to manage the scene and conduct necessary investigations.
