M1 Traffic Update Today: The M1 northbound is closed between Junction 16 (Northampton) and Junction 18 (Crick) due to a serious multi-vehicle collision involving two lorries, with one having overturned. The incident happened late Tuesday, August 4, 2026, causing major delays, long congestion, and emergency recovery work. Here’s everything you need to know about the M1 traffic update today, road closures, affected routes, and more.
M1 Traffic Update Today: What Happened?
The M1 northbound is closed between Junction 16 (Northampton) and Junction 18 (Crick) due to a major multi-vehicle accident. A serious collision involving two lorries occurred late last night, causing one of the trucks to overturn.
M1 Traffic Update Today: Affected Routes
The M1 northbound remains closed today between Junction 16 (Northampton) and Junction 18 (Crick) following a severe four-vehicle collision involving two HGVs. A major clean-up operation, complex vehicle recovery, and emergency road resurfacing are severely restricting travel across Northamptonshire.
-
M1 Carriageway (Northbound): Fully closed; queues back 5 miles with 76-minute delays.
-
M1 Carriageway (Southbound): Lanes 3 and 4 closed to support emergency crews.
-
A5 & A428: Severe gridlock from traffic spilling onto surrounding local routes.
-
M1 St Albans: Overnight closures (9 PM – 5 AM) for a £4m resurfacing project.
M1 Traffic Update Today: Lane Closures
The specific lane closures currently active across the M1 network include complete full-lane closures on the M1 Northbound (J16–J18) and Lanes 3 and 4 closures on the Southbound carriageway near the same Northamptonshire incident site.
M1 Traffic Update Today: Diversion Routes
Northbound drivers are being diverted off the motorway at Junction 16 to bypass the incident:
-
Take the A45 westbound towards Daventry.
-
Turn onto the A5 northbound towards the Watford Gap area.
-
Follow the A428 eastbound to return to the M1 northbound at Junction 18 (Crick).
M1 Traffic Update Today: When will it reopen
The M1 Northbound between Junction 16 (Northampton) and Junction 18 (Crick) is expected to remain closed until later today.
M1 Traffic Update Today: Alternative Routes
-
Step 1: Exit the M1 northbound at Junction 16 and take the first exit at the roundabout onto the A45.
-
Step 2: Follow the A45 westbound straight through until you reach the roundabout intersection with the A5 near Flore.
-
Step 3: Turn right at the roundabout onto the A5 northbound and drive toward Kilsby until you hit the A428 Halfway House Roundabout.
-
Step 4: Turn right onto the A428 eastbound, pass over the Railport Approach roundabout, and take the third exit at the Parklands Roundabout back onto the A5.
-
Step 5: Continue eastbound to safely rejoin the M1 northbound at Junction 18 (Crick Interchange).
M1 Traffic Update Today: Helpline Numbers
-
National Highways Customer Contact Centre: Call 0300 123 5000 (available 24/7) or email info@nationalhighways.co.uk for real-time schedule checks.
-
Emergency Services: Call 999 for active highway emergencies.
A major multi-vehicle accident involving two heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) that occurred late last night, resulting in an overturned truck and a massive diesel spill. Forensic collision investigations by Northamptonshire Police were followed by a complex vehicle recovery operation and extensive emergency road resurfacing due to deep tarmac damage.
