M40 shut Oxford-Watlington after tanker crash
The bitumen has bonded to the road surface after spilling from the tanker
- Published
A stretch of the M40 in Oxfordshire is closed after a tanker spilled bitumen on to the road.
The crash, involving the tanker and a van, happened on the southbound carriageway between junction 8A for Oxford and junction 6 for Watlington on Monday at about 19:45 GMT. National Highways said nobody was injured.
The road surface has significant damage after the leaked bitumen hardened on to the carriageway. The damaged lanes will need to be stripped and resurfaced.
Drivers are being diverted off the motorway on to the A418/A40 with hollow triangle diversion symbols in place.
The damaged lanes will need to be stripped and resurfaced, National Highways said
A specialist tanker has been used to transfer the remaining load of bitumen before the stricken vehicle can be recovered from the motorway.
National Highways says once the tanker is removed it expects to reopen one lane.
Drivers are being urged to plan journeys in advance as significant delays are expected.
National Highways said no injuries were reported following the crash on Monday night
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