Major delays and active carriageway closures are disrupting traffic on the M1 motorway today due to multi-vehicle collisions and emergency repairs.
Delays & Congestion Due to Accidents & Broken-Down Vehicles – Check Affected Routes, Lane Closures, Alternative Routes, Helpline Numbers & More (Image: Social Media)
M1 Traffic Update Today: The M1 southbound is experiencing notable delays and congestion due to accidents and broken-down vehicles. Specific trouble spots include congestion between Junctions 19 and 18, and Junctions 21 and 20, where a lane was closed due to a collision. Additionally, the northbound carriageway at Junction 34 (Sheffield/Rotherham) remains closed following a serious collision.
Here’s everything you need to know about the M1 traffic update today, affected routes, lane closures, diversion, alternative routes, and more.
M1 Traffic Update Today (June 28): Latest Traffic Update
Major delays and active carriageway closures are disrupting traffic on the M1 motorway today due to multi-vehicle collisions and emergency repairs.
The most critical disruption is on the M1 Northbound in Leicestershire, which remains closed between Junction 20 (Lutterworth) and Junction 21 (Leicester) due to a serious two-car collision.
M1 Traffic Update Today: Reason for Delay
The current delays on the M1 motorway are primarily driven by a full northbound carriageway closure following a serious multi-vehicle collision, combined with active emergency road repairs blocking multiple southbound lanes.
M1 Traffic Update Today: What Happened?
The severe delays on the M1 today, 28 June 2026, are being caused by a major two-car collision in Leicestershire that has shut down the northbound carriageway, alongside active emergency road repairs bottlenecking traffic further south.
M1 Traffic Update Today: Affected Roads
The primary roads affected by today’s M1 traffic disruptions include the M1 Northbound and Southbound carriageways across:
- Leicestershire
- Northamptonshire
- Hertfordshire
- Alongside key interconnecting junction slip roads
M1 Traffic Update Today: Lane Closures
- M1 Southbound (Junction 5 to Junction 1): Multiple lanes (Lanes 2 and 3) are completely closed due to active emergency road repairs.
- M1 Northbound (Junction 14 to Junction 15): Lane 1 and the hard shoulder are blocked near Milton Keynes due to a broken-down vehicle.
M1 Traffic Update Today: Heavily Affected Slip Roads & Interchanges
- Junction 21 Southbound Exit Slip: The connector road linking the M1 Southbound to the M69 is heavily congested, resulting in slow-moving traffic spills onto the main motorway.
- Junction 5 Southbound Exit Slip: Bottlenecks approaching Watford are experiencing queueing, backed up by the nearby lane restrictions.
- Junction 19 Southbound Interchange: High-density tailbacks are bottlenecking the merge sections connecting to the A14 and M6 near the Catthorpe Interchange.
M1 Traffic Update Today: Alternative Routes
To bypass today’s major M1 Northbound closure in Leicestershire and the severe London-bound bottlenecks, National Highways has outlined specific strategic diversion routes.
Bypassing the Major J20 to J21 Northbound Closure
- Exit the M1 Northbound early at Junction 20 (Lutterworth).
- Take the first exit at the bridge roundabout onto the westbound A4303.
- Pass through the next roundabouts to continue along the A4303 Lutterworth Bypass.
- At the A5/A4303 roundabout, take the second exit onto the A5 Northbound (towards Hinckley).
- Continue on the A5 Northbound up to the M69 Junction 1 (Burbage Interchange).
- Take the third exit onto the M69 Northbound (heading toward Leicester).
- Re-join the M1 Northbound at Junction 21.
Bypassing Southbound London-Bound Roadworks (J5 to J4)
- The M25/A41 Alternative
- The A1(M) Alternative
M1 Traffic Update Today: When will the road reopen?
The M1 Northbound between Junction 20 and Junction 21 is expected to remain closed for several hours today, 28 June 2026, while forensic collision investigations and vehicle recovery take place.
M1 Traffic Update Today: Safety Advisory
National Highways has issued an urgent safety advisory for all motorists currently travelling on or approaching the M1 motorway due to severe gridlock and emergency incidents.
- Do Not Turn Around: Motorists stuck in queues must never reverse or drive the wrong way down the hard shoulder or slip roads under any circumstances.
- Maintain Clear Access: Keep the hard shoulder and emergency refuge areas completely clear so police, fire crews, and recovery vehicles can reach incidents safely.
- Follow Digital Gantry Signs: Adhere strictly to overhead electronic signs, especially the Red X symbol, which indicates a closed lane ahead.
- Expect Sudden Braking: Tailbacks from the Junction 20–21 northbound closure and Junction 5–4 southbound roadworks are causing sudden, heavy braking; increase your following distance.
- Switch Off Engines: If you are completely stationary within a closed section of the motorway for an extended period, turn off your engine to prevent overheating and conserve fuel.
M1 Traffic Update Today: Helpline Numbers
- National Highways (UK): Call 0300 123 5000
- Emergency Services: Call 999
- Non-Emergency Police: Call 101
Today’s M1 traffic disruptions are dominated by the ongoing full northbound closure in Leicestershire (J20–J21) and severe southbound bottlenecks nearing London (J5–J4).
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