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| 'Suspicious object' causes M1 closure near Milton Keynes | 'Suspicious object' causes M1 closure near Milton Keynes |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Motorists have been stranded for hours after the discovery of a "suspicious object" forced the closure of the M1. | |
| The 11 mile (18km) stretch between junctions 15 at Northampton and 14 at Milton Keynes has been shut both ways since 07:30 BST. | The 11 mile (18km) stretch between junctions 15 at Northampton and 14 at Milton Keynes has been shut both ways since 07:30 BST. |
| Footage earlier showed a bomb disposal robot pulling a bin bag off the hard shoulder, which appeared to contain a yellow substance. | Footage earlier showed a bomb disposal robot pulling a bin bag off the hard shoulder, which appeared to contain a yellow substance. |
| Thames Valley Police confirmed no explosive element was found. | Thames Valley Police confirmed no explosive element was found. |
| However, it said the liquid appeared to be a chemical and analysis was ongoing. | However, it said the liquid appeared to be a chemical and analysis was ongoing. |
| Live updates on this story and more | Live updates on this story and more |
| People are being urged to avoid the area and trapped northbound motorists have been redirected from the scene via Newport Pagnell services. | People are being urged to avoid the area and trapped northbound motorists have been redirected from the scene via Newport Pagnell services. |
| Highways England has posted diversions but it is unclear when the road will reopen. A spokesman said tailbacks had roughly halved "down to about three or four kilometres". | Highways England has posted diversions but it is unclear when the road will reopen. A spokesman said tailbacks had roughly halved "down to about three or four kilometres". |
| Motorist Ruth Middleton has been stuck in traffic for more than five hours. | Motorist Ruth Middleton has been stuck in traffic for more than five hours. |
| "I have got my laptop out, some people have been having naps. There hasn't been a lot to do other than kill time," she said. | "I have got my laptop out, some people have been having naps. There hasn't been a lot to do other than kill time," she said. |
| Tim Mayer, a Conservative councillor from Coventry caught up in the delays, said communication from police had been "appalling" but people had been trying to make the most of the free time. | Tim Mayer, a Conservative councillor from Coventry caught up in the delays, said communication from police had been "appalling" but 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." |
| 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. |
| On Twitter, one motorist wrote: "When you see a helicopter above you and kinda wish they were lowering a portaloo #m1 3 hours and counting..." | On Twitter, one motorist wrote: "When you see a helicopter above you and kinda wish they were lowering a portaloo #m1 3 hours and counting..." |
| 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". |