The A1(M) in County Durham has been shut in both directions following a serious late-night crash, with emergency crews working at the scene overnight and drivers being urged to avoid the area.
The closure affects the motorway between Junction 62 for Durham and Junction 63 for Chester-le-Street. The collision, which involved a car, was reported at around 10:56pm on Sunday, April 26.
Emergency services attended the scene shortly after the incident, while National Highways traffic officers were also deployed to help manage the closure and support the response on the motorway.
A1(M) closed between Durham and Chester-le-Street
The affected section of the A1(M) is a key route for traffic moving through County Durham and the wider North East. Because the road has been closed in both directions, motorists travelling between Durham and Chester-le-Street are likely to face delays and diversions until the route is cleared and declared safe.
Closures on both carriageways are usually introduced when emergency responders need full access to the road, or when there are safety concerns that make it unsafe for vehicles to pass the scene. In this case, the crash has been described as serious, and crews remained in attendance overnight.
Drivers heading through the area have been advised to plan ahead, allow extra time and check official travel updates before setting off. The closure is expected to affect early journeys, particularly for commuters using the A1(M) as part of their route into Durham, Chester-le-Street, Gateshead or Newcastle.
Official traffic updates and road closure information can be checked through National Highways travel alerts.
Emergency response continues after overnight collision
Emergency services were called to the motorway after the collision was reported late on Sunday night. National Highways confirmed that traffic officers were supporting the incident response, with the road closed to protect both the public and those working at the scene.
At this stage, detailed information about injuries, the cause of the crash and when the motorway will reopen has not been fully confirmed. Further updates are expected from police, highways officials or emergency services once the scene has been assessed and the road is safe to use again.
Serious motorway crashes can take several hours to clear. Investigators may need to examine the vehicles involved, record evidence from the scene and check whether there has been any damage to the road surface, barriers or nearby infrastructure. Recovery work and debris clearance must also be completed before traffic can return.
Motorists are being reminded not to ignore closure signs or attempt to use restricted routes around the scene. Diversions can add time to journeys, but they are put in place to keep drivers away from active emergency operations.
The A1(M) is one of the North East’s busiest strategic roads, so any full closure can quickly create pressure on surrounding routes. Local roads around Durham and Chester-le-Street may become busier than usual while the motorway remains shut.
Anyone travelling through County Durham should check live traffic information before leaving, follow diversion signs and leave additional time for delays. Updates are expected as emergency teams continue their work and authorities prepare to reopen the road when it is safe.
You may like: Auckland Traffic Alert: SH18 Crash Near Greenhithe Causes Major Delays
Make Swikblog your go-to source on Google for reliable updates, smart insights, and daily trends.
