QUEUES of traffic have now cleared on the M40 following two separate crashes near Bicester and Banbury.
The first crash happened on the southbound carriageway near Bicester between junctions 9 and 8A.
Thames Valley Police moved the vehicle to the hard shoulder and closed one lane of the motorway, but the closure was lifted at 5pm.
Traffic was held while emergency services dealt with the incident but was released at about 4.50pm.
Further up the road, also on the southbound M40, another crash also caused delays between junctions 10 and 11.
Leaving 9 to 8a M40 in the capable hands of #HIghways there is likely to be lane closures for urgent repairs to barrier.
— TVP Roads Policing (@tvprp) October 28, 2018
Now going to accident 11-10 M40. Three cars in central barrier. #p1079 #oxonrpu
Police said three cars had crashed into the central barrier.
One lane was closed but has since reopened and congestion has mostly cleared.
Following a brief stop on traffic all vehicles involved have now been cleared to the hard shoulder. Traffic has been released and all three lanes are now running. Delays should begin to ease now. pic.twitter.com/IdK8M6NtBM
— Highways England (@HighwaysEAST) October 28, 2018
It is not yet known if anyone was injured in either crash.
Highways England said 'multiple vehicles' were involved in the earlier collision near Bicester, and the central reservation has been damaged, as well as an electric sign.
#M40 south btwn J9 (#Oxford #A34 #Bicester #A41) and J8a (#Thame #Aylesbury #A40 #A418). 1 lane (of 3) closed due to a multi-vehicle collision, central reservation barrier damaged along with a electronic sign. Traffic was held by @tvprp but it has just been released in 2 lanes. pic.twitter.com/TrIowIHENm
— Highways England (@HighwaysEAST) October 28, 2018
Referring to the Bicester incident, the force's roads policing team tweeted: "M40 southbound 9 - 8a all lanes now open. All emergency vehicles on hard shoulder, please drive past at a safe speed - no need for rubbernecking or photos."
Police said repairs to the damaged barrier will likely lead to more lane closures later.
Traffic on the M40 at 5.15pm, shown on Google Maps
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