Severe delays affecting motorists in Newark and Ollerton as section of M1 closed and traffic diverted following tanker fire

There are significant delays affecting motorists in and around Newark and Ollerton.

Delays of eight minutes and increasing are being experienced on the A1 Southbound from Sutton on Trent to Winthorpe and on the A17 Northbound towards Newark.

There are also delays of 14 minutes and increasing on the A46 in both directions between Elston and the junction with the A1 at Winthorpe.

Kelham Road, Great North Road and Newark Town Centre are also experience severe traffic delays.

There are also severe delays of 16 minutes and increasing on the A614 Blyth Road Northbound between Forest Lane and A616 Ollerton Road in Ollerton, and delays on the A614 Old Rufford Road Northbound between Farnsfield and Ollerton.

The average speeds are between ten and 20mph.

The excess traffic may be due to motorists redirecting their journeys away from the M1 in Derbyshire, near Mansfield, which has been closed due to a severe oil tanker fire.

Fire crews are currently on scene tackling the scene of the blaze which is taking place between junction 29 to junction 28 of the M1.

The road remains closed in both directions for the safety of motorists while emergency services work at scene.

Traffic caught up in the congestion is being released from the back of the queue by National Highways traffic officers with drivers advised to use an alternative route this afternoon.