M1 Barnsley Sheffield: Highways bosses issue important update after crash closes South Yorkshire motorway

South Yorkshire Police remain on the scene after an incident last night, after announcing that the road was closed at just after midnight.

One motorist told The Star she had been stuck in traffic for two hours trying to get to Barnsley Hospital earlier this morning.

National Highways are now warning that the road will remain closed for most of the day, with one of their updates estimating it may clear by 1.30pm and 1.45pm, and have described the incident as an accident involving a vehicle that left the carriageway.

They said in a statement: “The M1 in South Yorkshire is closed in both directions between J36 (Tankersley) and J37 (Barnsley) due to a serious collision involving a car.

“Shortly after midnight South Yorkshire Police, Emergency Services and National Highways attended the scene of a serious collision involving a car which left the carriageway.

“Full closures were installed on both the north and southbound carriageway. Shortly after 1am traffic within the closure was released from the scene and clear by 3am.

“Due to the severity of the incident collision and forensic investigation needs to be carried out with daylight and this is currently ongoing at the scene by the South Yorkshire Police collision investigations team.”

They said a recovery and clear-up team have also been deployed to the scene.

“The closure is expected to remain in place throughout the day,” they added.

Keep your finger on the pulse with our daily newsletter, covering breaking news stories and all of the biggest headlines from Sheffield and South Yorkshire

Diversion Routes

These are the diversions that National Highways are recommending:

• Leave the M1 at J37 and at the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A628.
• Follow the A628 for approx. 5 miles to the roundabout with the A629 and take the 1st exit onto the A629.
• Continue for approx. 6 miles to the junction with the A616 and turn left onto the A616.
• Follow the A616 back to the M1 southbound J35A and take the 1st exit to rejoin the M1 southbound.

• Leave the M1 at J36 and at the roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A61.
• Follow the A61 for approx. 1 mile until the junction with the A616 and at the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A616.
• Continue on the A616 for 3 miles to the junction with the A629. At the junction turn left onto the loop road and then turn left again onto the A629.
• Follow the A629 for approx. 6 miles to the junction with the A628 and at the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A628.
• Continue on the A628 for approx. 5 miles back to the M1 J37 and at the roundabout take the 1st exit onto the M1 northbound.