Major UK motorway chaos after huge crash and fire - closure for 'several hours'
M1 traffic RECAP: Motorway closure in Bedfordshire as 999 crews rush to serious crash
National Highways has warned the stretch of motorway is likely to remain closed for a majority of Sunday.
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Add us as preferred source Comments live By Astha Saxena, News Reporter 11:57, Sun, Jun 21, 2026 Updated: 12:56, Sun, Jun 21, 2026 
A busy section of the M1 is expected to remain closed for "several hours" following a serious crash and fire. National Highways said the M1 southbound in Bedfordshire between the junction 14 Broughton Interchange and junction 13 Ridgmont Interchange is shut.
The "serious traffic collision and vehicle fire" was reeported shortly after 2.35am this morning, with police, fire and the ambulance service rushing to the scene. Motorway camera footage shows the section of the motorway completely empty. National Highways wrote: "The M1 southbound in Bedfordshire is closed between J14 Broughton Interchange (Milton Keynes, Newport Pagnell A509) and J13 Ridgmont Interchange (Bedford A421; Woburn, Ampthill A507) due to a collision and vehicle fire reported shortly after 02:35. Bedfordshire Police, Fire & Rescue, East of England Ambulance Service and National Highways have units in attendance. The closure is expected to remain in place for several further hours for collision investigation work which is being carried out by Bedfordshire Police."
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KEY EVENTS
3 days ago11:57 Astha SaxenaNational Highways shares important update
Responding to a query on X, National Highways said there is no estimated time for reopening of the motorway.
A social media user asked: "Hi, is there any planned opening time for the M1 southbound? Thanks."
The National Highways social media team replied: "Good morning, and thank you for your message.
"At this time we have no ETA for reopening as investigation works are ongoing.
"We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience."
3 days ago10:45 Astha SaxenaClosure remains in place
The closure still remains in place as the authorities continue to work on the incident.
3 days ago09:05 Astha SaxenaLatest images from the motorway
The closure is expected to remain in place for several further hours.
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3 days ago08:47 Astha SaxenaDiversion route to follow
Due to scheduled roadworks on the A509 the diversion route is compromised .
Traffic will need to exit at J14 take the 1st exit off the roundabout and follow the roadworks diversion which is as follows
Take the A509 (Langway Street) to the next roundabout Take the 1st exit onto the A509 (London Road) At Tickford Roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A422 At Redbridge roundabout take the 1st exit onto the B4034 (Marlborough Street) At Belvedere roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A509 At Northfield roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A4146At this point follow the route marked with a hollow circle symbol on local road signs:
Continue on the A4146 Childs Way to the A4146 Fox Milne Roundabout. There, take the first exit onto the A4146 Tongwell Street. Pass through the Monkston Roundabout. Take the first exit at the A4146/A421 Brinklow Roundabout to the A421 Standing Way. Continue on the A421 Standing Way and at the Kingston Roundabout take the second exit to continue on the A421 and rejoin the M1 at junction 13. 3 days ago08:41 Astha SaxenaWhat has happened?
The M1 southbound in Bedfordshire is closed between J14 Broughton Interchange (Milton Keynes, Newport Pagnell A509) and J13 Ridgmont Interchange (Bedford A421; Woburn, Ampthill A507) due to a collision and vehicle fire reported shortly after 02:35.
3 days ago08:40 Paul WithersNational Highways issues update
National Highways has issued a new update:
3 days ago08:39 Paul WithersThe #M1 remains closed southbound in #Bedfordshire between J14 #Broughton and J13 #A421 junction due to a serious traffic collision and fire.
\u2014 National Highways: East (@HighwaysEAST) June 21, 2026
It's expected the carriageway will remain closed for several hours while investigations take place.
More info: https://t.co/74bj9EJMhV pic.twitter.com/tLfyzXz8Iv
Welcome to our live blog
Welcome to our live coverage, with the M1 southbound between junctions 14 and 13 closed after a serious crash and vehicle fire.
Stay tuned for all the latest updates.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
