The M1 may now not be open until the middle of next week following a serious fire on Friday underneath an elevated section of the motorway in north London.
And transport secretary Philip Hammond has said the government is to review what sort of industrial activities should be allowed under potentially vulnerable motorway sections.
Eight fire engines and 40 firefighters were called to the fire at a scrapyard in Mill Hill – between junctions 2 and 3 – soon after 4.00am on Friday. Around 50 people living in nearby properties were evacuated as a precaution.
The fire was brought under control by 7.00am but as a number of gas cylinders were involved, a temporary hazard zone was set up. The motorway was shut between junctions 1 and 4.
The fire has caused significant structural damage to the motorway, transport minister Mike Penning has told the London Metro:
“This is a pre-cast concrete bridge and the heat has damaged it so badly there are steels exposed that are part of the structure.
“As a former firefighter, I know first hand the intensity of fires of this kind. I’ve seen the damage to the bridge and it should not be underestimated how significant it is.”
This morning, the motorway remained closed between junction 4 and junction 1 southbound, with two lanes open between junction 2 and junction 4 northbound. A Highways Agency statement said the affected lanes will re-open “as soon as it is safe to do so”.
