A 41-mile diversion through Leicestershire’s rural villages has been put in place following a serious crash on the A1. National Highways said that a single-vehicle collision near Grantham, Lincolnshire, has resulted in a full closure of the carriageway between the A52 at Barrowby and A607 at Harlaxton.
The lengthy route directs thousands of drivers through Leicestershire towns and villages including Melton Mowbray, Upper Broughton, Ab Kettleby and Waltham on the Wolds. The incident happened at around 11pm yesterday evening (Thursday, January 3), with the road remaining closed this morning.
National Highways said a police collision investigation had been completed at the scene, but the road remains shut while workers treat the damaged surface. The authority confirmed drivers should expect significant delays in the area.
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Overview of diversion
(Image: Highways England/Google)
Motorists following the official “Hollow Square” diversion symbol are being taken on a winding route through three counties. The diversion first leads onto the A52 towards Nottingham, before joining the A46 southbound towards Leicester.
From there, traffic is directed onto the A606 through Melton Mowbray, passing through Upper Broughton and Ab Kettleby. Drivers must then follow the A607 through Waltham on the Wolds before finally rejoining the A1 at Harlaxton.
National Highways has advised drivers to plan alternative routes where possible. A spokesperson said: “If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time.”
The full diversion route is:
- Exit the A1 at the A52 junction for Barrowby Junction and turn left onto the A52 westbound towards Nottingham.
- Continue along the A52 west for approximately 13 miles to Saxondale Roundabout with the B692 at Bingham.
- Take the first exit towards the Bingham Interchange with the A46, followed by the second exit at the Bingham Interchange to join the A46 southbound towards Leicester.
- Remain on the A46 southbound for approximately 6 miles and exit at the junction with the A606 for Melton Mowbray.
- At the roundabout take the second exit onto the A606 eastbound towards Melton Mowbray and continue for approximately 9 miles, passing through Upper Broughton and Ab Kettleby, to the traffic light controlled junction with the A60 and A6006 at Melton Mowbray.
- Turn left onto the A607/Norman Way and continue to the traffic light controlled junction with the B676 Saxby Road again turning left at the junction to continue on the A607 towards Grantham.
- Continue along the A607 for approximately 13 miles, passing through Waltham on the Wolds and Harlaxton, to reach the Harlaxton Road Interchange where traffic can re-join the A1 southbound.
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