M40 closed after lorry crashes across reservation

Congestion remained heading towards the closure on Wednesday morning

Part of the M40 has been shut for more than 12 hours, after a lorry crashed through the central reservation into two other vehicles.

It crossed from northbound to southbound, overturned and spilt its tank of diesel. Police said two people were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

National Highways initially said the M40 was shut northbound from junction 11 for Banbury and 13 for Leamington Spa on Tuesday night. On Wednesday morning it was still closed southbound between 15 for Warwick and 12 for Gaydon.

The Warwickshire force said the closure was likely to be in place throughout the morning, due to extensive repairs required. Two lanes remained shut northbound.

At 09:10 GMT on Wednesday, National Highways said there were delays of two hours between junction 16 for Hockley Heath and 15.

It stated full resurfacing and the replacement of the destroyed central reservation barrier was required before the road could reopen.

The roads body advised people to plan ahead and stated if the closure "impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time".

On Tuesday night, police said they were working as quickly as possible with partners to recover vehicles and to help those stuck in traffic, adding: "Thank you for everyone's patience."