M1 southbound closed near Leeds as late night crash sees fuel spillage on motorway

Motorists were asked to avoid the M1 southbound late yesterday evening into early this morning following a crash on the motorway. The smash, which involved a lorry and a car, caused a fuel spillage on the motorway - leaving drivers stranded late into the night.

Traffic was diverted via the exit and entry slip roads, with travellers being warned of around 1.5 miles worth of congestion. National Highways: Yorkshire first reported the incident at 10.20pm on Tuesday, June 11, saying that emergency services and traffic officers were working at the scene.

Posting on X they wrote: "Traffic is stopped on the #M1 southbound within J41 #Wakefield #Tingley following a single vehicle collision. Emergency services and Traffic Officers are working at scene. There is approx. 1.5 miles of congestion on approach."

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At 10.44pm they added: "The #M1 south is closed within J41 #Wakefield #Tingley following a single vehicle collision and a fuel spillage on the carriageway. Traffic is being diverted via the exit and entry slip roads. There is approx. 1 mile congestion on approach. Please allow extra journey time."

The latest update, which was posted at 11.20pm, reported that the motorway southbound remained closed. Highways England wrote: "The #M1 south remains closed within J41 #Wakefield #Tingley following an earlier collision between a lorry and a car. Recovery and clean up crews are on scene. Traffic is being diverted via the exit and entry slip roads."