M40 traffic: Motorists braced for hours-long delays as horror lorry smash requires 'extensive recovery'

Drivers face long delays on the M40 motorway this morning following a serious accident and lengthy repairs.

The M40 in Warwickshire remains closed southbound between Junction 15 (Warwick) and Junction 12 (Gaydon) after a multi-vehicle collision.

National Highways reported that the incident involved a heavy goods vehicle which crossed from the northbound carriageway.

When the lorry made its way into the southbound carriageway, it collided with two other vehicles, prompting extensive delays.

The road remains closed, even after a collision investigation and "extensive recovery operation" that took place overnight.

The transport authority reported "significant damage" to the central reservation barrier and the road surface.

It confirmed that the carriageway would remain closed for hours as the barriers are replaced and the road is resurfaced.

In addition to National Highways Traffic Officers, all emergency services were in attendance, including Warwickshire Police.

At present, there is a delay of at least one hour to normal journey times between J16 and the closure at J15.

While there is no official diversion route for this section of the M40, traffic is being diverted via local routes.

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A spokesperson for Warwickshire Police said: "The northbound carriageway has one lane open. Due to extensive repairs required, the closure is likely to be in place throughout the morning.

"All traffic caught within the closure has now been released. Local diversions are in place - if this closure impacts your planned route, please allow extra journey time."

National Highways traffic maps suggest that the M40 southbound entry slip at J13 will not see normal conditions return until almost 4pm.

The larger closure between J15 and J12 is expected to clear by around 2.15pm, although this could change over the coming hours.

National Highways added: "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."

It also called on drivers to plan ahead and consider an alternative route if they intend to use the southbound carriageway of the M40.