M11 Lorry Crash Forces Extended Closure Near Cambridgeshire’s Duxford 2026

Key Points

• A “serious” lorry crash occurred on the M11 on Friday, June 12, 2026, just after 12pm
• The collision involved a lorry and two other vehicles near the A505 at Duxford
• Cambridgeshire Police are at the scene managing the incident
• The southbound carriageway will remain closed for “some time” according to police
• Motorists are warned to avoid the area and seek alternative routes
• Police are urging anyone with information, including dash cam footage, to report online quoting incident 219 of June 12
• Alternatively, witnesses can call 101 to provide information
• The closure affects the stretch near Junction 10 close to Duxford in Cambridgeshire

Cambridge (Cambridge Tribune) June 12, 2026 – The southbound carriageway of the M11 motorway has been closed for an extended period following a serious lorry crash that occurred just after midday on Friday, June 12, 2026. Cambridgeshire Police confirmed they are currently at the scene of the accident near the A505 at Duxford, where emergency services are managing the situation.

As reported by the journalist covering the incident for the Cambridge News, the crash involved a lorry and two other vehicles, creating what police have described as a “serious” incident. According to official statements from Cambridgeshire Police, the southbound carriageway will remain closed for “some time,” with no specific reopening timeframe provided at this stage.

Police have issued an urgent warning to motorists to avoid the area entirely and seek alternative routes to prevent being caught in growing traffic queues. The closure affects the motorway stretch near Junction 10, close to Duxford in Cambridgeshire, a key section of the M11 that connects London to Cambridge and beyond.

Why Are Police Urging Motorists to Avoid the M11 Area?

The decision to close the southbound carriageway stems from the severity of the collision and the need for emergency crews to conduct thorough scene management and vehicle recovery operations. As stated by Cambridgeshire Police in their official update, the incident requires significant time for proper clearance before the road can safely reopen to traffic.

According to the police force’s public statement, anyone with information about the crash, including dash cam footage that may have captured the incident, is urgently urged to report it online. When submitting information online, witnesses should quote incident number 219 of June 12 to ensure their evidence is properly logged in the investigation. Alternatively, individuals can call 101 to provide information directly to officers.

The importance of gathering dash cam footage is particularly significant in serious crash investigations, as such evidence can help investigators understand the sequence of events leading to the collision. Multiple previous M11 crashes in Cambridgeshire have relied on dash cam evidence to establish factors contributing to accidents, including the serious collision involving a lorry and three cars that occurred in August 2025 near Cambridge, as reported by BBC News.

How Long Will the M11 Southbound Carriageway Remain Closed?

Cambridgeshire Police have not provided a specific timeframe for when the southbound carriageway will reopen, stating only that the closure will last for “some time.” This language typically indicates that emergency crews are still assessing the scene and cannot yet determine the full extent of work required for vehicle recovery and any necessary barrier repairs.

Historical data from similar M11 crashes in the region suggests that serious lorry incidents can result in closures lasting several hours. For instance, in August 2025, a section of the M11 between Junction 11 and Junction 12 remained closed for roughly 12 hours following a serious crash involving four vehicles, according to BBC News coverage of that incident.

In another comparable case from August 2025, the southbound lane of the M11 between Junction 10 at Duxford and the junction for South Wald in Essex was closed for approximately two hours before a detour was established and the road fully reopened at approximately 17:40 BST, as reported by BBC News. However, each incident’s duration depends on factors including the severity of vehicle damage, the number of vehicles involved, and whether any injuries require medical attention at the scene.

What Alternative Routes Can Motorists Use During the Closure?

While Cambridgeshire Police have not specified particular alternative routes in their initial warning, motorists travelling on the M11 southbound should consider using the A10 or A11 as alternative routes depending on their destination. The A10 runs parallel to the M11 between London and Cambridge, providing a viable alternative for those travelling towards Cambridge.

For drivers heading towards London from Cambridge, the A11 can serve as an alternative route, though it may also experience increased traffic volumes due to the M11 closure. National Highways, which manages the M11 motorway, typically establishes detour routes during extended closures, and these are usually marked with official diversion signage.

The closure between Junction 10 at Duxford and junctions further south creates significant disruption for traffic heading towards Stansted Airport, as Junction 8 at Stansted connects directly to this closed section. Previous M11 closures affecting this stretch have caused sweeping delays impacting people’s trips to the major UK airport, as reported by The Mirror during a March 2025 lorry incident that forced authorities to shutter the motorway between Junctions 8 and 10.

Which Emergency Services Are Responding to the M11 Crash?

Cambridgeshire Police confirmed they are at the scene managing the incident, though their initial statement did not specify which other emergency services are present. Typically, serious lorry crashes involving multiple vehicles require coordination between police, fire and rescue services, and ambulance crews.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service maintains a list of current incidents in the region, and serious motorway crashes typically trigger their rapid response protocol. The service’s incident monitoring system shows they are actively responding to incidents across Cambridgeshire, including major road accidents on key transport routes like the M11.

In previous serious M11 collisions in Cambridgeshire, emergency services have included multiple ambulances when injuries are reported. During a major crash under the Duxford bridge that occurred in June 2024, social media reports indicated seven ambulances were present at the scene, with huge queues building as traffic stopped completely, according to Facebook posts from witnesses at that time.

Background: Previous Serious M11 Crashes in Cambridgeshire

The M11 motorway in Cambridgeshire has experienced several serious crashes involving lorries over the past two years, creating a pattern of serious incidents on this key transport route. Understanding this history provides context for the current closure and the seriousness with which police are treating the June 12 incident.

In August 2025, a woman was seriously injured after a collision involving a lorry and three cars on the M11 in Cambridgeshire, as reported by BBC News. This crash occurred between junctions in the Cambridgeshire area and resulted in severe injuries requiring hospital treatment. The incident prompted Cambridgeshire Police to announce that an investigation is currently underway, demonstrating the thorough investigative approach taken for serious motorway crashes.

Another significant incident occurred in September 2025, when the M11 carriageway close to Cambridge was shut down following an accident involving three vehicles and a van, according to BBC News coverage. This crash caused severe delays during the busy morning rush hour, with traffic cameras showing huge traffic queues along the southbound section.

In March 2025, a lorry smashed into barriers on the M11, forcing authorities to shutter the motorway for “vehicle recovery” and “barrier repair” between Junctions 8 and 8, as reported by The Mirror. Shock photos showed the lorry leaning over the hard shoulder following the incident, which caused sweeping delays impacting people’s trips to Stansted Airport.

In October 2024, Essex Police reported a “serious collision” on the M11 near Stansted Airport that shut the major motorway between junction 7A at Harlow North and junction 8 at Bishop’s Stortford, according to London Evening Standard coverage. Traffic remained at a standstill on the M11 Southbound as emergency crews worked at the accident site, with no initial word on when the southbound carriageway would reopen.

These previous incidents demonstrate that serious lorry crashes on the M11 in Cambridgeshire and Essex are not uncommon, and each typically results in extended closures requiring significant emergency response resources and investigation time.

Prediction: How This M11 Closure Will affect Commuters and Airport Travelers

The extended closure of the M11 southbound carriageway near Duxford will significantly affect multiple groups of people, with impacts likely to persist throughout Friday and potentially into the weekend depending on the closure duration.

Commuters travelling between Cambridge and London will face the most immediate disruption, as the M11 serves as a primary route for daily workers in both cities. The closure forces these commuters to seek alternative routes, likely increasing traffic on the A10 and A11, which may themselves become congested due to the unexpected volume. Many commuters may need to arrive significantly earlier than usual or consider alternative transportation methods such as train services from Cambridge to London King’s Cross.

Stansted Airport travelers will experience substantial inconvenience, as Junction 8 provides direct access to the airport. Previous M11 closures affecting this stretch have caused sweeping delays impacting people’s trips to the major UK airport, according to The Mirror. Flight passengers may face difficulty reaching their departures, potentially causing missed flights if they cannot find alternative routes quickly. Airport passengers should consider using rail connections from Stansted Express or alternative road routes via the A10.

Local residents in Duxford, Shepreth, and surrounding villages will face increased traffic on local roads as motorists seek alternative routes. The A505, which intersects with the M11 near the crash site, may experience unusual congestion from diverted traffic. Local businesses along alternative routes may see increased patronage from stranded motorists seeking food, fuel, or rest.

Delivery companies and freight operators using the M11 for goods transportation will face significant schedule disruptions, potentially affecting supply chains for businesses relying on timely deliveries between London and Cambridge. The commercial impact could extend beyond Friday if the closure extends into weekend days when many delivery operations typically occur.

Emergency services crossing the closed section may need to reroute, potentially affecting response times for incidents in areas separated by the closure. This could have implications for public safety if the closure extends for many hours.

The economic impact of the closure includes lost productivity for commuters stuck in traffic, potential missed business meetings, and increased fuel consumption from longer alternative routes. For a motorway serving a major economic corridor, these costs accumulate quickly during extended closures.

Travelers should monitor real-time traffic updates via National Highways’ website, local radio stations, and traffic apps for closure updates and reopening announcements. Planning alternative routes before departing and allowing extra travel time will help minimise the disruption caused by this serious incident.