Lorry Overturns, Closes M40 on Christmas Eve

A major traffic disruption occurred on the M40 motorway in Oxfordshire on Christmas Eve due to an overturned lorry, leading to the complete closure of the southbound carriageway between junctions 8A and 6. The incident, which took place early Tuesday morning, left the heavy goods vehicle precariously overhanging a footpath, necessitating a full closure for recovery and safety barrier repairs. As a result, traffic is severely congested, with delays reported to extend up to 45 minutes and queues reaching junction 9. This comes during one of the busiest Christmas getaway periods, with an estimated 3.8 million car journeys expected today, significantly higher than the previous day. In light of previously issued weather warnings, conditions have improved, allowing for smoother travel in other areas, although public transport remains heavily utilized. Travellers are advised to avoid the area if possible due to the ongoing recovery efforts.