§ Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the southbound carriageway of the M1 motorway was closed on 6 October; and who authorised the closure. [79134]
5W
§ Mr. SpellarOn 6 October the southbound carriageway of the M1 in the area of Junction 21 had to be closed as a result of a fire in an outbuilding of a local farm, where gas cylinders containing potentially explosive gases were stored. Following consultation between Leicester County Fire Brigade and the Health and Safety Executive, a 200-metre exclusion zone was requested around the farm including a section of the motorway. Leicestershire police therefore closed the motorway until the risk of explosion had passed.