M1 Closure Set To Cause Traffic Chaos - Sky News

4:07am UK, Saturday April 16, 2011

Sports fans and holidaymakers trying to get in and out of London are facing major disruptions as part of the M1 remains closed after a fire.

A fire at a scrapyard underneath the M1 caused major disruptions on Friday

The motorway had been expected to be busy on Saturday with tens of thousands of football fans heading to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final between Manchester United and Manchester City as well as competitors arriving for Sunday's London Marathon.

But the complete closure between junctions one and four threatens to cause traffic chaos as motorists are forced to find alternative routes.

Engineers have been assessing the damage caused to the motorway by the blaze in a scrapyard beneath a viaduct between the M25 and North Circular Road in north London.

A Highways Agency spokeswoman said: "Depending on the results of the investigation, we will open the M1 as far as it is safe to do so.

"In the meantime, intended users of the M1 are advised to consider alternative routes or means of travel to their destinations.

"A signed diversion route is also in place, using black diamond signs northbound and black circle signs southbound, but drivers heading into and out of London should consider alternative routes and expect significant delays in this area."

A statement for the traffic monitoring service Trafficlink warned that the motorway could remain closed "into next week".

Further disruptions are expected if the motorway is not reopened on Sunday, when Stoke face Bolton in the second FA Cup semi-final and Liverpool travel to Arsenal.