Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service are on scene and currently lead the response to this incident.
Update 5 pm
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service are on scene and currently lead the response to this incident. The vehicle has now been extinguished, however the carriageway will remain closed for recovery and inspections to a damaged overhead gantry.
There are severe delays of at least 90 minutes above usual journey times between J20 and J21. The queue of traffic approaching the closure at J21 spans over 6 miles in total. There are also long delays of at least 30 minutes on the M69 northbound approaching the M1 and on the M1 southbound between J21a and J21 where lane 4 (of 4) has been closed.
Traffic within the closure is advised to remain in their vehicle and await instruction from a police or traffic officer. Traffic is currently being released from the front of the queue into Leicester Forest East services.
Traffic has been blocked on the approach to the scene to allow the vehicle to be safely extinguished. There are long delays of at least 60 minutes above usual journey times between J20 and J21. The queue of traffic spans over 6 miles in total.
Traffic within the closure is advised to remain in their vehicle and await instruction from a police or traffic officer. Traffic will be released past the scene once the vehicle has been extinguished and the damaged caused to the overhead gantry has been inspected.
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.
Diversion route
Hollow triangle via the A5460, A563 and A50 re-joining at J22.
Exit the M1 northbound at Junction 21 and take the third exit from the junction onto the A5460 eastbound.
Continue east along the A5460 and take the first exit north onto the A563 slip road to the A563 Lubbesthorpe Way/Meridian Roundabout.
Take the third exit from the roundabout northbound onto A563 Lubbesthorpe Way.
Continue north on the A563 passing through the A563/A47 Hinckley Road, A563
Scudamore Road Roundabouts, Park View junction, Glenfield Roundabout, Aikman Road and Dillon Way junctions to the A563/A59 Groby Road Roundabout.
At the roundabout take the first exit (left) onto the A50 westbound.
Continue westbound on the A50 passing through the A50 Station Road Roundabout to the A50/A46 Interchange.
At the Interchange take the second exit and continue along the A50 passing through the Lena Drive junction, Bradgate Hill and Fieldhead Roundabouts to A50/M1 Junction 22 Interchange.
At the Interchange take the fourth exit and rejoin the M1 northbound.
