Vehicle fire closes M40 exit slip at Bicester

It was the second time that the junction has been affected by a blaze on Friday

A vehicle fire resulted in the southbound exit slip from the M40 at junction 9 being closed on Friday evening and for much of Saturday.   It was the second time during Friday that a vehicle blaze caused a closure on the slip road.

Southbound drivers were advised the exit slip road could be closed for much of Saturday. Thames Valley Police’s Roads Policing Team said on social media: “[The slip road is] likely to be closed until tomorrow afternoon [Saturday] due to resurfacing.”

Firefighters from six stations attended the blaze.

Pictures from the scene early on Friday evening show firefighters dealing with a vehicle loaded with hay.   The fire was still burning at 10pm and it was understood it could take some time to extinguish.

An assessment of the road surface and resurfacing work was likely to be needed, once recovery had taken place.

Crews from Bicester, Banbury, Charlbury, Rewley Road, Thame and Brackley were called to the scene, supported by specialist water carriers from Wheatley and Towcester. Specialist telehandling equipment was utilised, supported by the fire crew from Hook Norton, to remove the load safely to burn in a controlled area.

Working to extinguish the fire continued through the night, with relief crews from Slade Park and Deddington assisting.

Its understood the fire was accidental and the driver was able to escape safely without injury.

An earlier vehicle fire during Friday morning resulted in the junction 9 exit slip being closed.   Long queues of traffic built up approaching the Bicester exit, backing up at one point to junction 10 at Ardley.

Thames Valley Police kept the slip road closed whilst the fire was extinguished and the vehicle recovered.

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Published: 08/07/2022 10:18pm by Banbury FM Newsteam

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