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M1 closure: No explosives found in 'suspicious object' | M1 closure: No explosives found in 'suspicious object' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Motorists were left stranded for several hours after a "suspicious object" was found under a bridge, forcing the closure of the M1. | Motorists were left stranded for several hours after a "suspicious object" was found under a bridge, forcing the closure of the M1. |
The 11-mile (18km) stretch between junctions 15 at Northampton and 14 at Milton Keynes was shut both ways at 07:30 BST. | The 11-mile (18km) stretch between junctions 15 at Northampton and 14 at Milton Keynes was shut both ways at 07:30 BST. |
Thames Valley Police later said the object was not an explosive. | |
The northbound carriage has now reopened, but southbound remains closed, Highways England said. | The northbound carriage has now reopened, but southbound remains closed, Highways England said. |
It said "specialist" carriageway clearance work was still ongoing on the southbound side, but all trapped traffic has now been released. | |
Trapped northbound motorists were stranded for several hours before being redirected from the scene via Newport Pagnell services. | Trapped northbound motorists were stranded for several hours before being redirected from the scene via Newport Pagnell services. |
Footage earlier showed a bomb disposal robot pulling a bin bag off the hard shoulder. The bag appeared to contain a yellow substance. | Footage earlier showed a bomb disposal robot pulling a bin bag off the hard shoulder. The bag appeared to contain a yellow substance. |
Police said the liquid appeared to be a corrosive chemical and analysis was ongoing. | Police said the liquid appeared to be a corrosive chemical and analysis was ongoing. |
Thames Valley Police chief inspector Mark Lewis said there was "no evidence to suggest that this is a terrorist-related incident". | Thames Valley Police chief inspector Mark Lewis said there was "no evidence to suggest that this is a terrorist-related incident". |
Live updates on this story and more | Live updates on this story and more |
The Ministry of Defence said it had provided police with "explosive ordnance device assistance". | The Ministry of Defence said it had provided police with "explosive ordnance device assistance". |
Insp Lewis said as there was no explosive device there had been no controlled explosion. | Insp Lewis said as there was no explosive device there had been no controlled explosion. |
"The object contains a highly corrosive material which has leaked across lanes one and two, therefore the clear up process will take a significant amount of time," he said. | "The object contains a highly corrosive material which has leaked across lanes one and two, therefore the clear up process will take a significant amount of time," he said. |
Tim Mayer, a Conservative councillor from Coventry caught up in the delays, earlier said people had been trying to make the most of the free time. | Tim Mayer, a Conservative councillor from Coventry caught up in the delays, earlier said people had been trying to make the most of the free time. |
"There's a five-a-side football competition, a bit of rugby, a guy cycling up and down in the wrong direction," he said. | "There's a five-a-side football competition, a bit of rugby, a guy cycling up and down in the wrong direction," he said. |
"There are a few people with coffee in the car who have shared it around and others with some boiled sweets who have been generous. | "There are a few people with coffee in the car who have shared it around and others with some boiled sweets who have been generous. |
"But the communication from police has been appalling." | "But the communication from police has been appalling." |
On Twitter, former England cricketer James Taylor joked he "might get the clubs out - perfect driving range". | On Twitter, former England cricketer James Taylor joked he "might get the clubs out - perfect driving range". |
Highways England has a diversion in place for those travelling southbound via the A508. | Highways England has a diversion in place for those travelling southbound via the A508. |
At the scene - Mike Cartwright, BBC News | At the scene - Mike Cartwright, BBC News |
I've been speaking to people who have been stuck on the M1 for hours now. | I've been speaking to people who have been stuck on the M1 for hours now. |
Trevor Larkun has been stranded since 08:30, he says people are being "mostly patient" and chatting to other motorists. | Trevor Larkun has been stranded since 08:30, he says people are being "mostly patient" and chatting to other motorists. |
"The mood is OK, we've had a few people come and deliver bottles of water and crisps," he said. | "The mood is OK, we've had a few people come and deliver bottles of water and crisps," he said. |
"I've got sympathy for people I've seen walking down the hard shoulder with suitcases, presumably trying to catch a flight. | "I've got sympathy for people I've seen walking down the hard shoulder with suitcases, presumably trying to catch a flight. |
"The worst thing is you don't know how long you're going to be here for." | "The worst thing is you don't know how long you're going to be here for." |
Mr Larkun said that police officers told other motorists they may cut the central reservation at some point to release vehicles from the carriageway. | Mr Larkun said that police officers told other motorists they may cut the central reservation at some point to release vehicles from the carriageway. |