Rush hour collision causes delays

A COLLISION between a lorry and a car caused misery for rush hour motorists yesterday on the A46.

Commuters were stuck in delays of more than an hour after approximately 50 litres of diesel leaked from a lorry which was carrying around 800 litres in the tank. It collided with the car at around 5am on the southbound side of the A46 around Kenilworth.

No injuries were reported, but a clean-up operation shut two lanes on the carriageway shortly after the collision happened.

A spokesman from Warwickshire Police said: “At approximately 5am Warwickshire Police received a report of a collision on the A46 near junction 4 (southbound).

“The collision resulted in a fuel spillage on the road.

“Warwickshire Police conducted a rolling closure of the A46 southbound whilst recovery and clean up of the fuel is completed.

“The collision was between a lorry and a car, at this time there are no reports of injuries.”

The road was fully reopened around 9.30am - more than four hours after the collision happened.

A spokesman from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue said: “Service Control received a call from the police to a lorry that was leaking diesel between junctions 5 to 4 on the A46.

“Two fire engines from Leamington attended.

“Crews confirmed the lorry was carrying approx 800 litres of diesel in the tank and approx 50 litres had leaked onto the carriageway. ”

People were stuck in the traffic for more than an hour, with routes around the A46 - including A45 at Stonebridge and Festival Island.