M1 closed for 28 hours as man climbs gantry

TRAFFIC chaos caused by a man who camped on a motorway information sign and refused to come down for 28 hours finally came to an end after he climbed down on Monday afternoon.

The M1 was closed southbound from Junctions 23a and 22 at midday on Sunday while negotiators from Leicestershire Police tried to persuade the man to come down from the gantry safely.

The man finally climbed down at shortly after 4pm and was arrested for causing a public nuisance.

He remained in police custody on Tuesday morning.

The road re-opened at 5pm on Monday and Leicestershire Police apologised to the tens of thousands of commuters frustrated by gridlocks.

Assistant Chief Constable Phil Kay said: “I am relieved that this protracted incident has now come to a safe conclusion, but I do not underestimate the incredible gridlock and massive inconvenience that this incident has caused to motorists throughout the UK.

“This man is now in custody and therefore I am not able to say more at this stage about the circumstances that led him to climb the stanchion and remain there for so long.

“I would, however, like to express my sincere sympathies to the many tens of thousands of people who have been seriously inconvenienced as a result of this incident.

“Our priority from the outset has been the safety of this man, of my officers, and of the motoring public.

“I am glad that this man has now, after 28 hours, finally agreed to come down.”

Spotlights were positioned on the man, whose identity is not known, overnight as officers kept an eye on his movements.