A1 closed: Serious collision causes long traffic delays after lorry 'left carriageway' on major road

Felix Reeves
Fri, 01 May 2026 14:15:17 +0000

Drivers travelling for the bank holiday weekend are being warned of long delays on a major road following a major traffic accident.

The A1 Rutland remains closed in both directions between the B1081 (Great Casterton) and the A606 (Stamford) due to a serious collision.

National Highways reported that the accident involved a lorry that had left the carriageway, prompting the closure.

All emergency services, including Leicestershire Police and an Air Ambulance, have attended the scene.

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Traffic officers from National Highways are also on the scene to provide assistance for congestion, which is building at the scene.

Posting on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, National Highways: East Midlands issued a warning to motorists.

It reported that emergency services remain at the scene, and that drivers can expect delays of 45 minutes and four miles of congestion in both directions.

GB News has contacted the emergency services for a comment.

National Highways has installed a diversion route for motorists to follow to avoid the congestion on the A1.

Southbound traffic is being diverted via the hollow diamond diversion symbol

Exit the A1 southbound at the junction with A607 Grantham and at the roundabout take the second exit, towards Melton

At the end of the road, turn right onto the A607, towards Melton/Newark

Remain on the A607 for approximately 13 miles, passing through Harlaxton, Croxton Kerrial and Waltham on the Wolds to the light-controlled junction with the A607 at Melton Mowbray

Continue straight over to join the A606

Continue on the A606 for approximately 18 miles, passing through Burton Lazars, Oakham and Empingham, to re-join the A1 at Stamford

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Northbound traffic is being diverted via the solid circle diversion symbol

Exit the A1 northbound at the A606 junction at Stamford

Join the A606 westbound and continue for 18 miles towards Melton Mowbray

Join the A607 northbound after Melton Mowbray and continue towards Grantham

Re-join the A1 northbound at Grantham to continue the onward journey

Traffic maps from National Highways suggest that the event is expected to clear between 5.15pm and 5.30pm, although normal traffic conditions should return by around 5pm.

It comes as drivers face long delays on the road with millions of motorists travelling around the UK for the long bank holiday weekend.

Data from the RAC shows that the early May bank holiday will be the busiest in 10 years, with 19 million "getaway" trips expected to be made.

While Saturday is expected to be the busiest with around four million trips, "Frantic Friday" is expected to see 3.7 million trips take place.