Multiple Crashes Shut M1 M60 A1 and A47, Crippling UK Rush Hour

Separate serious collisions on four major English roads brought peak-hour traffic to a standstill on Wednesday. The M1 was shut southbound between Junctions 41 and 40 near Wakefield after what West Yorkshire Police called a “serious road traffic collision,” with National Highways saying the closure is likely to last several hours while investigators work at the scene. In Greater Manchester, a two-car crash caused major delays on the M60, while the A1 in the North East was closed in both directions following another incident. Further east, the single-carriageway A47 at East Winch, Norfolk, was sealed off after a two-vehicle collision that required Norfolk Fire and Rescue crews to cut occupants free. Authorities have not yet released casualty figures for any of the incidents but urged motorists to avoid the affected routes and seek alternative travel plans. All four closures are expected to remain in force for an extended period as emergency services complete rescue operations and collision investigations.