Motorists experienced significant delays on Christmas Eve after the M40 motorway was closed due to an overturned lorry, which was precariously hanging over a footpath below. The incident occurred early on the morning of December 24, 2024, between Junction 8A for Waterstock and Junction 6 for Lewknor, Oxfordshire.
The failure to recover the lorry safely left the southbound carriageway fully closed for several hours, prompting National Highways to implement diversions and notify drivers of the situation. Craig Sowden, the Operations Manager for National Highways' East region, explained the severity of the situation: "This collision has left an HGV balancing precariously over a footpath used by members of the public below. We have looked at all possible options but the only way to manage this situation safely is to close the carriageway."
Motorists heading out for the busy holiday season—estimated at 3.8 million car journeys across the UK on this very day—faced delays stretching back to Junction 9. Reports early on indicated waits of between 45 minutes to over an hour as traffic congestion mounted. The M40's closure impacted not only drivers but also local public transport, with the Oxford Bus Company noting delays of up to 60 minutes on certain routes.
To manage the emergency safely, National Highways organized diversions for vehicles. Drivers were advised to exit the M40 at Junction 8A and use the A40 heading south, rejoining the motorway at Junction 6. Sowden urged motorists to allow extra time for their travels: "We thank drivers for their patience and would advise them to allow extra time for their journeys."
Images released of the incident showed the lorry positioned precariously over the footpath, highlighting the potential danger to pedestrians below. The situation called for thorough road safety measures and effective recovery operations, which were initiated immediately.
Traffic management throughout the day operated under challenging circumstances as officials worked to clear the wreckage and conduct necessary repairs to the safety barriers along the motorway. By mid-afternoon, updates from National Highways indicated improvements: "All lanes have now reopened and the M40 is now mostly back to normal," they reported.
After extensive recovery efforts and repairs, it was confirmed by National Highways via their social media platform X (formerly Twitter) just before 18:30 GMT on Christmas Eve, stating, "All lanes are now open on the M40 southbound between junction 8A Waterstock and junction 6 Lewknor," with residual delays reported at less than 10 minutes.
Despite the earlier chaos, the highway was beginning to return to normal as Christmas festivities were underway. With the situation largely resolved, travelers could finally breathe easier, knowing the bulk of the holiday transport infrastructure had resumed operations, easing access for those eager to be with family and friends during the festive period.
Apologies were extended across various transport and highway platforms for the disruptions caused, emphasizing the importance of safety and the continued efforts to manage one of the busiest travel days of the year efficiently.
