THE M40 has closed after a lorry caught fire sparking travel chaos and trapping drivers in their cars for three hours.
Motorists have remained at a standstill for hours on end, with one driver even forced to reverse backwards down the motorway to escape the backlog near Hockley Heath.
Motorway users who were trapped in the closure have been stuck at the wheel for three hours between J16 for Hockley Heath and J15 for Warwick.
One desperate driver took to X to complain, posting: “Been stuck over two hours, lots of vehicles reversing don’t think officially but getting pretty desperate now.”
Two out of the three lanes were closed before it was shut completely, with traffic passing only in lane three.
A photograph from the scene shows a charred lorry burnt down to its metal framing.
Blackened packaging lies scattered on the ground with the tarpaulin completely incinerated.
National Highways West Midlands warned there are traffic delays expected following the closure and congestion is backing on to J3A of the M42.
The motorway maintenance service posted on X: “The M40 is now closed southbound, between J16, Hockley Heath, and J15, Warwick, due to the ongoing lorry fire.”
A previous update stated: “M40 southbound, between J16, Hockley Heath, and J15, Warwick, lanes one and two of three are closed due to a lorry fire.
“Traffic is passing in lane three only.
“Currently delays in excess of 30 minutes on approach, with congestion back to the M42 J3A.”
One frustrated driver claimed they were stuck behind the lorry for “two and a half hours.”
At 3.50pm on X, they posted: “Not moved in two and a half hours, we’re near the front but nothing looking imminent yet.”
Another tagged National Highways in the post, asking: “Is there any update for people stuck directly behind the incident?
“We’ve been here over two hours now.”
Road users are advised to follow the hollow circle diversion symbol on road signs
Just before 4pm a post on X stated nothing had changed, reading: “Not moved in two and a half hours, we’re near the front but nothing looking imminent.”
National Highways said traffic caught within the closure will be released past the scene imminently, so drivers should see movement shortly.
In regards to the incident, they said: “Emergency services including Warwickshire Fire and Rescue are on scene.
“National Highways Traffic Officers are also in attendance to assist with traffic management.”
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