M1 closed northbound near Leeds following crash as emergency services rush to scene
Drivers are facing tailbacks on the M1 northbound on the edge of Leeds following a collision that has closed the carriageway between Junction 43 and Junction 44
Drivers are facing delays on the M1 near Leeds this afternoon after a collision forced the northbound carriageway to close.
The incident occurred between Junction 43 (Belle Isle / M621 interchange) and Junction 44 (Rothwell). All emergency services are currently at the scene working to clear the incident.
National Highways: Yorkshire confirmed the closure shortly after 3:20 PM, warning motorists of tailbacks building on the approach toward the M621 split into Leeds city centre.
A spokesperson for National Highways said: "Carriageway is currently closed due to a collision. All emergency services are on scene. Delays in excess of 15 minutes on the approach with 2 miles of congestion."
AA Roadwatch also confirmed congestions has started to form on the stretch of motorway, with reports of “stationary traffic and queueing traffic due to crash on M1 Northbound between J43 (Leeds) and J44 A639 (Leeds South / Rothwell). Congestion to J41 (Carrgate).
“Traffic heading northbound toward Leeds, Rothwell, and the M621 merge is experiencing building queues, with drivers advised to allow extra travel time or seek alternative routes where possible.”
Alternative Routes & Diversions
For drivers continuing North on the M1 (toward J45 / A1(M) / Garforth):
- Via M621 & A61/A639: Divert onto the M621 at J43, exit at Junction 7 (Stourton/A61), and take the A61 / A639 south through Stourton to rejoin the M1 Northbound at Junction 44 (Rothwell).
- Via M62 Eastbound (from further south): Drivers approaching from Wakefield/Lofthouse (J42) can take the M62 Eastbound to Junction 30 (Rothwell), then follow the A639 Northbound through Oulton and Rothwell to bypass the incident.
For drivers heading into Leeds City Centre:
- Drivers bound for central Leeds can simply remain on the M621 Northbound from Junction 43, which remains open and leads directly into the city centre via Hunslet.
- Use the A61 (Low Road/Hunslet Road) or A639 (Leeds Road/Pontefract Road) as alternative local arterial routes, though extra congestion is expected through Stourton and Rothwell.