The M1 has now reopened after heavy traffic due to a car that was on fire.

There were severe delays and queuing traffic for five miles due to a car fire on the M1 Northbound at J5 A41 Colne Way (Watford).

The M1 was closed northbound just after junction 5 in Watford, and cameras showed that just one lane is shut.

As a result, there were long delays northbound between junction 4 near Edgware / Harrow and junction 5.

The A31 Colne Way towards the Dome Roundabout in Garston was also slow as drivers avoid the M1,

According to Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue, the car is now extinguished and is awaiting specialist recovery – with traffic expected to slowly start to clear.

Hertfordshire Fire Control tweeted that crews were called at around 4.19pm to deal with the fire, two hose reels and one breathing apparatus was used at the scene.