M1 delays after sheep on the road and vehicle fire
Traffic was held on the M1 near Luton due to sheep on the carriageway, while a separate vehicle fire led to a full road closure
Drivers on the M1 faced significant delays this morning after two separate incidents caused disruption near Luton and Milton Keynes.
Traffic was brought to a standstill between Junction 10 (Slip End) and Junction 11 (Dunstable) when sheep were spotted on the carriageway. National Highways officers were called to remove the animals.
"Traffic has been held on the M1 in both directions due to sheep in the carriageway," a spokesperson for National Highways said. "Our Traffic Officers are on scene and working to herd the sheep to safety."
The road remained closed for around an hour before officers confirmed the sheep had been moved.
"All sheep have been herded off the road network and to a place of safety," National Highways later stated.
Separately, a car fire near Milton Keynes led to a full road closure due to smoke. Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Broughton, Newport Pagnell, and West Ashland attended the scene.
Firefighters found the vehicle fully alight in lane one of the motorway. "The car was alight on arrival and was 100% damaged by fire," a spokesperson said. Crews used breathing apparatus and a hose reel jet to put out the flames.
Traffic was severely affected by both incidents, with delays of up to 30 minutes reported. The motorway has since fully reopened.