Motorway closures in England rose 18% in 2024

Motorway closures in England rose by 18% in 2024, according to data released by Co-op Insurance.

The most closed section of motorway last year was the A1M northbound, at Chester-le-Street junction 63, which was closed 127 times throughout the year.

The M53 northbound at junction 8 had the second most closures, with 99 closures throughout the year.

Next was the M6 northbound at junction 21 and 21a (72 closures), the M621 southbound at junction 7 (56 closures), and the M621 eastbound, at junction 7 with the M1 (55 closures).

Four out of the top ten most closed motorways were in Yorkshire, with the M621 in Leeds appearing on the list three times.

The M25 came eighth, with 50 closures on the anti-clockwise carriageway between junction 28 and 27.

A total of 6,874 motorway closures were recorded across England last year.

Paul Evans, head of motor at Co-op Insurance, said: “From commuting to leisure trips and visiting loved ones, our motorway network is a vital part of so many people’s daily journeys.