Leicestershire Fire service said the vehicle was transporting batteries and paint when it crashed

Roads have reopened following clear-up operations on a busy section of the A5 near Hinckley this morning. The major route was closed for several hours after a lorry hit a bridge, spilling its hazardous load.

The closure, which was in effect between the A47 and the M69, came into force shortly before midnight last night (May 27). It prompted a major response from firefighters, who worked through the night to tackle the spillage of batteries and paint.

The road was reopened nearly 12 hours after it was first closed. We reported live on the incident. See our updates below.

This blog was a live report of the incident. Updates can be seen below.

Much quicker than anticipated, but it's good news for drivers all round as Highways England have reopened both the Northbound and Southbound sections of the A5 following the overnight closure.

In a statement, they said: "Clear-up work complete and the A5 southbound is OPEN. Thanks for your patience and safe travels this afternoon."

It's not good news for motorists unfortunately, with National Highways saying that the road closure along the A5 will remain in place for some time yet.

Alongside an image showing the current state of the road, a spokesman said: "Recovery of the lorry is complete. Work to clear all the paint and batteries continues at scene. Once complete, an assessment of the road surface will be carried out. The closure is expected to remain in place for several more hours."

With daylight comes the first glance at the state of the A5 this morning following last night's bridge crash. The lorry has since been taken away, while clear-up operations are ongoing following the spillage of its load.

Drivers going Southbound should follow the solid diamond diversion symbols on road signs and do this:

National Highways are reminding drivers of the diversions currently in place due to the closure of the A5.

On the Nortbound route, drivers should follow the solid square diversion symbols on road signs and do this:

In an update this morning, Leicestershire Police have called on people to avoid the A5 while the road remains closed.

"Please continue to avoid the area as the road remains shut due to a police incident. Please seek an alternative route," they said.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS), who attended the scene to tackle the 'hazardous load' spillage, are no longer at the scene.

Fire log data entry confirms that the response, which included 3 crews, left the scene at around 4am this morning. The entry confirms that the bridge is safe and the matter is now in the hands of Leicestershire Police.

"Fire Service leaving incident, bridge confirmed safe by railway engineers. Road remains closed to clear up chemicals from roadway."

Those hoping for an early morning road reopening may be waiting for some time still - that's as the clear-up continues following the late night lorry collision.

National Highways still estimate the road will not be reopened until midday today. Latest updates and diversion notices can be found here.

The spillage of batteries and paint from the lorry crash has needed more than just a mop to clear up, that's because soil has been needed.

Yes, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service have confirmed that a good bit of earth was used as part of their effort to stem the flow.

"Crews are using soil and environmental grab bags to stem part of a leak," they said in a statement.

Fire teams have confirmed they've made both the lorry and its remaining contents both safe. Recovery teams from Crouches Recovery who were called to the scene have also safely taken away the lorry, a Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman has said.

"Lorry and contents made safe by Fire Service. Lorry recovered by breakdown company to local depot."

The bridge at the centre of the ongoing closure in Hinckley this morning has the honour - or dishonour - of once being labelled 'Britain's most bashed' bridge.

The data from 2020 showed that the bridge was hit on average 25 times a year, or once a fortnight.

However, last year saw the bridge over the A5, near Dodwells roundabout, lose that title. In 2021, it was hit 11 times, putting it sixth in the UK, with the 'winner' being Coddenham Road bridge in Suffolk which was struck on 19 occasions.

Highways teams have confirmed that A5 will remain closed for much of Saturday, causing traffic chaos for many.

"Expectations from the scene are that the road will remain closed while work continues until at least 12:00 this afternoon," they said.

Earlier advice to allow extra time for journeys remains in force.

Drivers who were planning to use the A5 this morning are being warned of the impacts on their journey times today.

"If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey," said a spokesman.

They've issued two sets of diversions for both directions of the A5.

Those going southbound should follow the diamond diversion symbols on road signs, while those travelling northbound should follow the advice from the solid square diversion symbols.

Images have emerged of the spilled load that continues to close a section of the A5. The image, which was taken by National Highways teams, shows a spillage of batteries and paint on the highway.

The A5 remains closed this morning following the bridge strike.

Data log entry from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) confirms that recovery efforts were made more difficult overnight by the presence of a drum that got in the way.

"Following an assessment of the lorry there is a large drum that is lodged under the lorry and requires moving to aid recovery of lorry. Two breathing apparatus under Stage 1 are in use to remove containers and drums," said an LFRS spokesman.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) have confirmed that 3 of its crews were dispatched to the scene overnight to tackle the spillage.

In a statement, LFRS said that appliances from "Hinckley, Nuneaton and Coalville" had been called to the incident, while a "HMEP Unit" was also called out to help with the response.

Highways teams have released pictures from the scene showing the situation that led to the closure of the A5 in Hinckley overnight.

A lorry collided with a bridge and shed its load onto the highway. The road remains closed this morning.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service have described the lorry as carrying a "hazardous load" in its official log of the incident. Full details in the blog posts below.

Railway officers have placed a caution on the railway line overhead as a result of the incident

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service have confirmed they have been called to the scene after the lorry (which they have described as an LGV (not a HGV as National Highways described) collided with the low bridge and shed "most of its load". No people are trapped inside the vehicle and the driver was said to have been able to walk from the lorry prior to the emergency services arriving at the scene.

The LGV was said to be carrying "vehicle batteries, paint thinners and other flammables" when it crashed. Crews are at the scene are said to be using soil and environmental grab bags to stem part of a leak on the vehicle and a hosereel has been laid out at the scene by crews for safety reasons.

A meeting has taken place with police who have arranged for a recovery vehicle to attend the incident. The lorry is currently being made safe by fire service members.

National Highways say the closure on the A5 is as a result of a HGV hitting a low bridge and becoming stuck underneath. The lorry was carrying a load of batteries and paint and has shed some of its load onto the road as a result of the crash

** ROAD CLOSURE ** 23:45 Please avoid the A5 Hinckley from Knutt's Lane to the Dodwell's Road Roundabout. The road has been closed due to a Police incident. Please avoid the area. Updates will follow. Thank you for your patience.

The #A5 is closed in both directions between the A47 and the M69 near #Hinckley following a road traffic collision. More details to follow. pic.twitter.com/zjl9R2Zeqf