Chesterfield motorists urged to avoid M1 after lanes closed in both directions due to fire
Drivers in Chesterfield are being warned to avoid the M1 after all lanes have been closed in both directions due to a fire.
Highways England have shut the motorway from junction 29, connecting with the A617 to Chesterfield, to junction 29A at Markham Vale Services – close to the A6192 in Bolsover.
The M1 southbound from junction 30 in Barlborough to junction 29A at Markham Vale Services is also shut off.
In a tweet, the highways authority and Derbyshire Roads Policing Unit confirmed the motorway was closed due to a fire caused by fallen power lines.
Officers were called at 12.15pm by a passerby, who reported a power cable had come down from a pylon and that an area of grass on the bank had caught alight.
Derbyshire Police have confirmed that no one has been injured.
Traffic officers are at the scene along with the fire and rescue service working to make the motorway safe, while drivers are being encouraged to plan an alternative route and avoid the area for the next few hours as delays are expected.
Highways England posted: “The #M1 in BOTH directions #J29 (#A617 #Chesterfield) to #J29A / Markham Vale Services (#A6192 #Bolsover) is in the process of being CLOSED due to a fire. Traffic Officers @DerbyshireRPU & @DerbyshireFRS are at scene. planning travel, avoid the area.”
The incident is expected to clear between 2.30 and 2.45pm this afternoon (April 20).
More details and updates to follow on the ongoing incident as we get them.