Hazardous chemicals have leaked onto a British motorway in the wake of a serious crash as emergency crews closing the road for "safety reasons".
Southbound lanes of the M40 are closed between Oxford and Watlington following the collision, involving a car and a tanker at approximately 7:45pm Monday, November 18.
As per a statement from National Highways, emergency services are at the scene working with specialist teams to "safely contain and clear a spillage of bitumen from the damaged tanker".
A National Highways spokesperson added: "Specialist recovery has been arranged and, once on scene, will recover the tanker overnight."
"Lane three within the closure has been reopened to release trapped traffic, but the main carriageway must stay closed for safety reasons.
Bitumen is hazardous when spilled in large quantities and can damage the road surface, which means the chemicals must be fully contained and the carriageway inspected for structural damage before it can be reopened.
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National Highways has released a picture of crews working at the scene while the M40 remains closed.
It's been confirmed that no-one was injured as a result of the incident. However, the road remains shut with specialist teams working to safely contain a spillage of bitumen from the damaged tanker.
The site of a traffic collision, which resulted in a bitumen spill and saw roads shuttered as of late Monday night, is expected to reopen in the middle of peak hour.
Southbound access to shuttered motorway M40 remains restricted, but National Highways data indicates that peak hour will become magic hour for those needing to use the arterial road.
The M40 southbound, the M40 southbound entry slip at junction seven, junction eight access to the M40, and the M40 southbound between junctions 8A and six are expected to be back in operation by 7.30am Tuesday morning, November 18.
All lanes are open on the M40 northbound between junction six at Watlington and junction seven at Thame.
There are no residual delays on the northbound carriageway.
Heading in the other direction, southbound carrigeways of the M40 remais closed between junctions eight at Oxford and six at Watlington as a complex recovery mission continues as authorities work to mop up the bitumen spill.
A replacement tanker is en route to the scene of the two-vehicle crash in Oxfordshire, with reports indicating the truck is expected to be on site by 3am Tuesday morning.
It is expected to arrive at the site of the motorway crash and chemical spill at about 3am Tuesday morning, November 18.
The tanker will transfer the bitumen remaining from the damaged truck and off-site.
Once the bitumen has been safely cleared, recovery of the crashed tanker will then begin.
Next comes a detailed inspection by roadway experts to assess any damage – the road will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.
Emergency crews will remain at the scene of the crash and chemical spill throughout the night with motorists advised to steer clear.
Road users travelling on the M40 southbound are advised to follow the hollow circle diversion symbol visible on local road signs, National Highways have said.
Once the motorway is clear of excess bitumen, which is expected at some time after 3am, road inspectors will assess the carriageway for damage.
The M40 and imacted carriageways and junctions impacted will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.
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