Suspicious object shuts Britain’s M1 highway, vehicles stuck for hours
The M1 highway is shut near Milton Keynes, north of London.
world Updated: Sep 19, 2017 20:10 IST
Dozens of cars have been stuck for hours on one of Britain’s main highways after it was closed due to a “suspicious object.”
Police say the M1 motorway is shut in both directions on a stretch near Milton Keynes, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of London.
Footage of the bomb disposal robot sent to investigate a "suspicious object" on the #M1. Road remains closed.
— BBC Look East (@BBCLookEast) September 19, 2017
https://t.co/GDxXP6QZrQ pic.twitter.com/TVlRM3zxT9
Bomb disposal van heads to suspicious object on #M1 https://t.co/oPivt6jOi7 pic.twitter.com/KJSqNTLXpr
— ITV News Central (@ITVCentral) September 19, 2017
Thames Valley Police say the object was found under a bridge at around 7.30 am Tuesday. The highway is closed in both directions for a stretch of about 10 miles (16 kilometers).
Photographs shared on social media show people playing frisbee and kicking a soccer ball on the empty road. Others show an army bomb-disposal unit arriving on the scene.
Nearly enough for a full team! #M1 #traffic Children @KeechHospice would love it! pic.twitter.com/PVTGa0PKOr
— Liz Searle (@LizSearle1) September 19, 2017
Highways England says it is “working as quickly and safely as we are able” to release vehicles from the closed-off area.
The incident on the M1 comes just three days after a fire broke out following an explosion in south west London’s Parsons Green tube station that left several passengers with burn injuries.
