Heavy rain led to a crash on the M1, resulting in the closure of a section of the motorway and causing significant traffic delays. National Highways confirmed that the northbound lanes between Junction 34 (Meadowhall) and Junction 35 (Thorpe) were closed due to the collision. Emergency services, including South Yorkshire Police and an air ambulance, were on the scene.
Google Traffic maps indicated heavy congestion on surrounding routes connecting Sheffield and Rotherham. Although all northbound lanes on the M1 have reopened, traffic flow is slow. Inrix, a traffic monitoring site, reported slow traffic from J34 (A631 Tinsley Viaduct) to J35 (A629 Cowley Hill) due to an earlier accident.
South Yorkshire Police issued a traffic update stating that the southbound carriageway of the M1 had fully reopened, while lane closures persisted on the northbound side between junctions 34 and 35. Drivers were advised to seek alternative routes to avoid the area.
A driver stuck on the M1 reported being stranded for approximately two hours near the cranes. National Highways anticipated the accident clearance by early evening, with the northbound carriageway still closed but southbound lanes operational. Traffic within the closure was being directed through the fourth lane past the scene.
Although specifics of the crash location were not disclosed, the incident impacted both carriageways between junctions 34 and 35. Witnesses described seeing numerous emergency vehicles on the southbound side. Drivers were informed of a diversion in place to bypass the affected stretch of the motorway, with National Highways recommending an alternate route.
South Yorkshire Police advised avoiding the area and planning alternative travel arrangements due to the road closure on the M1.