Suspicious object shuts Britain’s M1 highway, vehicles stuck for hours

The M1 highway is shut near Milton Keynes, north of London.

Dozens of cars have been stuck for hours on one of Britain’s main highways after it was closed due to a “suspicious object.”

M1, one of Britain’s major highways, has seen a massive pile-up of vehicles since early Tuesday. (AFP file)

Police say the M1 motorway is shut in both directions on a stretch near Milton Keynes, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of London.

Thames Valley Police say the object was found under a bridge at around 7.30 am Tuesday. The highway is closed in both directions for a stretch of about 10 miles (16 kilometers).

Photographs shared on social media show people playing frisbee and kicking a soccer ball on the empty road. Others show an army bomb-disposal unit arriving on the scene.

Highways England says it is “working as quickly and safely as we are able” to release vehicles from the closed-off area.

The incident on the M1 comes just three days after a fire broke out following an explosion in south west London’s Parsons Green tube station that left several passengers with burn injuries.