On Wednesday, for first time in over 20 years, I got caught in a motorway closure traffic jam. Cause was an accident on M1 near Newport Pagnell involving a fuel tanker and a spill of diesel. Effect was a southbound closure from J15 down to 14 - a stretch of about 15 miles. Bound for Heathrow to pick up Mrs B I'd ummed and ahhed about whether to use A43/M40 or M1. As I was starting from work chose latter. Wig wags were on as soon as I joined with queue ahead/queue caution but no warning until I was committed.
Ground to a halt by Salcey Forest at around 15:35, just south of village of Hartwell. Blazing sunshine and (as usual) I had no water in the car. Shortly after stopping a fire engine went by northbound and returned via hard shoulder in what seemed very short order. An ambulance came down 10mins later.
After a while people start getting out of their cars and chatting. Traffic news on BBC and Traffic England website told us about fuel spill etc and likelihood road would not re-open until around 19:00 - later amended to 21:00. Tried to re-plan Mrs B via trains but knew she was suffering with feet/legs due too much walking/standing at conference in Czech Republic and would struggle with required walking - and Heathrow Express was up the Swanny too. Alternatives were wait at LHR until I got there or see if she could cadge a lift with her colleague as far as M40 services. By this time it was nearly 18:00 and her flight was holding over Lambourne.
Truck alongside me was from a Northampton outfit and driver pointed out there was an emergency services cross over tunnel about a quarter mile to north. Watched several vehicles use it and re emerge on northbound side. A very careful reverse up the hard shoulder past stationery vehicles and watching like a hawk for pedestrians who were going behind trees on verge to relieve themselves got me to cross over. A quick run to J15A then A43/M40/M25 got me to Heathrow just after 19:30.
The cross over is here: goo.gl/maps/A2J31533eXU2 Couldn’t see any evidence of CCTV so hopefully no risk of a fine for unauthorised use.
Going back up M1 traffic was queued all the way to J15 and no attempt seemed to be being made to release the trapped vehicles. No idea what time it actually cleared although it was running normally when Mrs B checked website at 21:00.
It would be unreasonable to expect Police or Traffic Wombles to travel up the queue providing personal information. I would be concerned about people trapped for 4 hours plus in that temperature, particularly with frail or vulnerable passengers. Are there any protocols for this and a ‘reasonable’ time before official action is taken to release trapped vehicles?
Views and experiences?
Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Sun 9 Jul 17 at 12:00
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