M42 traffic: Major motorway closed in both directions just miles from huge airport
Drivers were urged to find alternative routes.
A major motorway was closed to all traffic this afternoon after a heavy crash, sparking rush hour chaos.
The M42 was closed in both directions at its junction with the M1, with that junction also closed on that motorway.
Leicestershire Police tweeted: "** Traffic Update 15:56** The M42 is closed both north and southbound between the junctions of Tonge and M1 J23a - Please find alternate routes. Updates to follow."
National Highways said the route was closed due to a "road traffic collision" and expects traffic to clear by 7.30pm.
It added there were delays of 40 minutes against expected traffic, with both lanes shut in both directions.
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M42 reopens
Leicestershire Police said in an update: "*Traffic Update 18:00 - M42 Both sides now open as normal - Thankyou for your patience."
M42 closed by 'serious' crash
National Highways said: "The M42 is closed northbound between Junction 14 and the M1/A453 at East Midlands Airport due to a serious collision.
"Traffic has also been stopped on the southbound carriageway to allow emergency services to work at the scene.."
M1 slip road also shut by crash
The M1 southbound exit slip road is also shut at junction 23A. Traffic is backed up as far back as junction 12 of the M42.
A42 closed by serious crash
A stretch of tyhe A42 in Leicestershire, near East Midlands Airport, is shut by a serious crash.
The #A42 in #Leicestershire is CLOSED northbound between the J14 (#CastleDonnington) and the #M1/#A453 @ema_airport due to a serious collision.
\u2014 National Highways: East Midlands (@HighwaysEMIDS) August 18, 2025
Traffic has also been stopped on the southbound carriageway to allow emergency services to work at the scene.
More info to follow. pic.twitter.com/QG7z5E8TYQ
Congestion near airport
Traffic is building at junction 23A of the M1, near East Midlands Airport.
M42 remains shut both ways
In a recent update, Leicestershire Police confirmed the M42 remains shut in both directions.
The force said in a post on X: "Traffic update 17:15 The M42 is closed both north and southbound between the junctions of Tonge and M1 J23a - further updates will follow shortly."
** Traffic update 17:15 The M42 is closed both north and southbound between the junctions of Tonge and M1 J23a - further updates will follow shortly
\u2014 Leicestershire Police (@leicspolice) August 18, 2025
Motorway camera shows delays
A motorway camera shows delays building on the M42.
Delays of 40 minutes
According to National Highways, there are delays of 40 minutes on the M42. Traffif is set to return to normal by 7.30pm.
Drivers urged to find other routes
Police are urging drivers to find other routes following the crash.
** Traffic Update 15:56** The M42 is closed both north and southbound between the junctions of Tonge and M1 J23a - Please find alternate routes. Updates to follow.
\u2014 Leicestershire Police (@leicspolice) August 18, 2025
M42 closed both ways by crash
The M42 in Leicestershire is shut following a crash this afternoon (Monday, August 18).
The motorway is closed in both directions between the junctions of Tonge and the M1 J23A.
Welcome to our live coverage
Welcome to our liveblog of tonight's crash on the M42.
We will be bringing you the latest updates as soon as we get them.
