M69 traffic: ‘Police-led incident’ forces major motorway to shut as drivers face congestion havoc

Drivers are being urged to avoid a busy motorway as a “police-led incident” has caused both carriageways to close as motorists face long delays.

The M69 in Leicestershire has been closed in both directions between J1 (Hinckley) and the M1 link at J21 as a result of an “ongoing Leicestershire police-led incident”.

National Highways has warned drivers of the incident, adding that traffic officers and contractors are assisting with strategic closures on the approach.

Posting on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, Leicestershire Police confirmed the road closure on J2 of the M69.

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It also noted that there is currently a road closure on the B4669 between Hinckley and Sapcote. The police force confirmed that updates would follow in due course.

Traffic maps suggest that the road closure is expected to remain until at least 11am, with normal traffic conditions expected to resume at the same time.

The latest update from National Highways: East Midlands confirms that traffic caught within the closure on the northbound lane is being released.

It also added that the southbound carriageway is now open. The traffic management organisation has also set out diversion routes for impacted drivers.

Road users are advised to follow the Hollow Circle diversion symbol on road signs

Diversion from M69 J1 (northbound)

• Exit the M69 at Junction 1 and take the fourth exit onto the A5 south/eastbound
• Continue along the A5 southbound for approximately 10km to the A5/A4303 Cross in Hand Roundabout
• At the roundabout, take the first exit onto the A4303 eastbound
• Continue eastbound along the A4303 for approximately 4km to reach the M1 J20
• At M1 Junction 20, take the first exit onto the M1 northbound
• Continue on the M1 Northbound for approximately 17.2km to M1 Junction 21. M69 Junction 2 (Secondary Route Traffic)

Diversion from M69 J2 (northbound)

• From M69 Junction 2 take the B4669 eastbound through Sapcote Village to the B4114
• At the B4669/B4114 junction, turn left and take the B4114 Coventry Road northbound
• Continue northbound on the B4114 for approximately 9km passing through Croft, Narborough to reach the roundabout with the A5460 at Fosse Park
• Take the first exit or fast link onto the A5460 westbound towards the M1 J21 with the M69 to continue your journey

Drivers travelling southbound should follow the Solid Triangle diversion symbol on road signs.

The diversion states that at J21 of the M1, they should continue southbound on the M1 for approximately 17km to M1 J20 instead of leaving the motorway.

From here, they should exit the M1 southbound at the J20 and take the third exit onto the A4303 before continuing on the A5 for around 5km to the A5/Cross in Hand Roundabout at Magna Park.

Motorists should then take the fourth exit onto the A5 north and continue for around 10km before reaching the M69 J1.

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The backlog of traffic on the M69 has caused roads surrounding Leicester and Coventry to experience delays as drivers navigate the rush hour conditions.

Delays are being seen on the M69 northbound near Coventry with delays of around 20 minutes, according to National Highways.

The M1 southbound between J21 and J20 is also experiencing difficulties with slow-moving traffic, while slight delays are being seen between J16 and J19 near Northampton.