Christmas eve travel in Oxfordshire disrupted as overhanging lorry forces motorway closure

Thousands of Christmas Eve travellers are being forced to find alternative routes because an overturned lorry is balancing on the edge of a motorway.

National Highways said the M40 in Oxfordshire is closed southbound between Junction 8a for Waterstock and Junction 6 for Lewknor to enable the vehicle to be removed.

This is causing delays of around 45 minutes.

The lorry was involved in a crash on Tuesday morning, which has left it overhanging a footpath below.

Work to repair a damaged safety barrier will also be required.

Craig Sowden, operations manager for National Highways' East region, said: "This collision has left a HGV balancing precariously over a footpath used by members of the public below.

"We have looked at all possible options but the only way to manage this situation safely is to close the carriageway.

"We thank drivers for their patience and would advise them to allow extra time for their journeys."

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