POLICE say the A1(M) has now reopened following its closure in North Yorkshire this morning.

The motorway was closed between junction 48 (Boroughbridge) and junction 49 (Dishforth) due to a serious collision involving two lorries at 5am this morning.

By mid-morning, police had reopened lane 3 of the carriageway, to allow backed-up traffic to disburse, but large tailbacks continued and motorists were advised to take an alternative route.

Traffic travelling northbound on the A1(M) was advised to leave at junction 46 and use the diversion on to the A168, to rejoin the A1(M) at junction 49.

The Highways Agency said those at the scene were also working to release vehicles from the rear of queuing traffic.  

Although the road has now reopened, police say there is approximately five to six miles of stationary traffic northbound towards J48 so traffic may take some time to disperse.

One motorist The Northern Echo spoke to had been in the queue for five hours.

At 10am he said: "I've just got past it. It was two trucks, one had ran into the back of another."

The Northern Echo:

Earlier in the day, police warned conjestion on the motorway was having a knock-on effect on traffic in York, by leading to congestion on its outer ringroad.

The Northern Echo: