Northbound carriageway of A1 near Newark set to reopen, as National Highways advise drivers to stick to official southbound diversion route between North Muskham and Markham Moor

The northbound carriageway of the A1 is soon to reopen after a serious collision, with southbound motorists still urged to stick to official diversion routes.

National Highways has warned that other roads may not be suitable for traffic, and drivers should follow signed diversion routes rather than their sat navs.

Both the north and southbound carriageways of the A1 were closed this morning between the A57/A614 at Markham Moor and B6325 at North Muskham, after the incident, which was reported shortly before 7.30am today (December 18).

Emergency services, National Highways, and traffic officers attended the scene.

The closed northbound section is due to reopening shortly, but the southbound carriageway is expected to remain shut until late afternoon while police investigations are carried out.

A signed diversion route is in place via the A614, A616 and B6325.

National Highways Operations Manager, Mark Munnoch, said: “It is important that people follow the official diversion route and not their sat navs. Alternative roads are not suitable for larger vehicles or heavy traffic and will cause further issues and delays.

“We will get the road open as soon as possible but in the meantime would advise people to allow extra time for journeys.”

The full diversion routes are:

Southbound traffic is advised to follow the solid triangle diversion symbol on road signs. This diversion begins prior to the closure, at the Apleyhead Interchange.

•Exit the A1 at Apleyhead Interchange near Upper Morton and take the A614 south for approximately 6.8 miles to the A614/A616 roundabout.

•Turn left (east) onto the A616 and continue to the A616/A6075 roundabout in Ollerton.

•Turn right and continue along the A616 through the villages of Ompton and Kneesall to South Muskham, an approximate distance of 7.4 miles

•At South Muskham mini-roundabout, turn left (north) onto the B6325 to the North Muskham Interchange, then take the third exit off the roundabout, south onto the A1

Northbound traffic is advised to follow the solid square diversion symbol on road signs.

•Exit the A1 at the B6325 North Muskham Interchange and take the B6325 to South Muskham.

•At the mini roundabout turn right (north/west) onto the A616 through the villages of Kneesall and Ompton to Ollerton.

•At the A616/A6075 roundabout, turn left (west) onto Ollerton Road and continue along the A616 until the A616/A614 roundabout.

•Turn right (north) onto the A614 Blyth Road and continue north for approximately 6.8 miles, until the A1/A614/A57 Apleyhead Junction, then rejoin A1

Motorists are advised to leave extra time for their journey, as delays are expected.