Drivers across Northumberland are facing severe disruption this morning after a serious three car collision forced the closure of a key stretch of the A1, with police and highway authorities urging motorists to avoid the area and use alternative routes. The incident, which happened near Buckton Moor between Alnwick Moor and Lowick, has led to the A1 being shut in both directions, triggering long delays for commuters, freight traffic and holidaymakers heading through one of the North East’s most important corridors.

More News

Serious Three Car Collision Shuts Key A1 Section

The crash was reported shortly before 7.40 a.m. local time on Wednesday 14 January 2026, on the A1 near Buckton Moor in Northumberland. According to Northumbria Police, three vehicles were involved in the collision on the rural stretch of the route, a vital link between Alnwick and Berwick upon Tweed and a gateway towards the Scottish Borders.

The scale of the crash prompted an immediate emergency response and the introduction of a full closure in both directions. Northbound traffic has been stopped from Alnwick Moor, while southbound traffic is being held from Lowick. Motorists who entered the affected section before the closure points have been caught in growing queues as emergency services work to manage the scene.

National Highways and local traffic monitoring services have described the incident as causing severe disruption, with all lanes closed and journey times significantly extended. Early indications suggest delays of several hours for those unable to divert away in time, with knock-on effects spreading onto surrounding local roads.

Emergency Services On Scene As Injuries Confirmed

Police, fire and ambulance crews were quickly dispatched to the crash site, with the North East Ambulance Service confirming that three patients were treated after the collision. Two people were taken to hospital for further care, while a third was assessed and discharged at the roadside.

Authorities have not yet released full details about the nature or seriousness of the injuries, but they have stressed that emergency teams are prioritising public safety and the wellbeing of those involved. Specialist collision investigators are also attending, meaning the closure is expected to remain in place until a detailed examination of the scene is complete and the vehicles can be safely recovered.

Northumbria Police issued a clear appeal to drivers to stay away from the area. A spokesperson said that officers, working alongside other emergency services, are dealing with a serious incident and need the carriageway free of traffic to allow safe access for ambulances, recovery vehicles and investigators.

Where The A1 Is Closed And How Traffic Is Being Diverted

The affected stretch of the A1 lies in rural Northumberland, north of Alnwick and south of Berwick upon Tweed, a key section for both local and long distance traffic heading between Tyneside, the Northumberland coast and the Scottish Borders. The closure has been implemented northbound from Alnwick Moor and southbound from Lowick, effectively sealing off a several mile section around Buckton Moor and Kyloe.

National Highways has also reported a related closure further north between the B1340 at Denwick and the A1167 south of Berwick upon Tweed, where a multi vehicle collision and associated traffic management are adding to the disruption. All lanes are currently shut on this northern stretch, with authorities forecasting clearance and a gradual return to normal traffic conditions late in the morning.

Drivers travelling in either direction are being diverted onto local A and B roads, including routes through Wooler, Chatton and other inland villages. Tactical diversions are being signposted on the ground, but many of these roads are single carriageway and not designed for sustained heavy traffic volumes, leading to further queues and slower speeds.

Knock On Impact For Commuters, Freight And Tourism

The timing of the crash at the height of the morning rush has maximised its impact on regional travel. Commuters heading towards Berwick, Alnwick and Tyneside have faced unexpected and lengthy detours, with some reporting being stationary for long periods as closures were brought in and emergency services took control of the scene.

Freight operators and logistics firms that rely on the A1 as a trunk route between England and Scotland are also experiencing delays. With no fast motorway alternative in this stretch of Northumberland, commercial traffic has little choice but to follow local diversion routes or wait until the road reopens, potentially disrupting delivery schedules and supply chains.

Tourism in the area is likely to feel the effects too. The A1 serves popular coastal and countryside destinations, including Holy Island, Bamburgh and Alnwick, and is a vital link for visitors staying in local hotels, campsites and holiday parks. Travel organisations have warned that today’s closure, combined with ongoing planned works elsewhere on the A1, may deter some day trippers and complicate onward journeys for those already in the region.

Authorities Urge Drivers To Use Alternative

National Highways, Northumbria Police and local travel services are unanimously advising road users to avoid the closed section of the A1 if at all possible and to opt for alternative routes. Drivers are being encouraged to check live traffic updates before setting off, allow extra time for journeys and be prepared for congestion on diversion routes that pass through smaller communities.

Motorists heading north from Newcastle and Tyneside towards Berwick and Edinburgh are being urged to consider alternative strategic routes, where available, or to delay non essential travel until confirmation that the A1 has fully reopened and traffic has cleared. Those already committed to the route are advised to follow official diversions rather than relying on satellite navigation shortcuts, which may route large volumes of traffic down narrow rural lanes.

Authorities have also reminded drivers stuck in tailbacks to remain in their vehicles unless instructed otherwise by police or traffic officers, to keep emergency access lanes clear and to drive with extra caution when passing the scene once the carriageway begins to reopen.

Live Travel Picture Compounded By Roadworks And Wider Incidents

Today’s crash comes against a backdrop of broader disruption on the A1 and other major routes in England, with a combination of serious collisions and planned roadworks affecting journeys. Overnight works on the A1 northbound exit slip to the A697 in Northumberland, which saw all lanes closed into the early hours of Wednesday, had already been flagged as causing potential delays for early morning traffic.

In addition, National Highways recently confirmed a programme of overnight closures on key A1 junctions in the North East later in January, including slip road restrictions at Dunston and Scotswood to allow technology and safety upgrades. Travel planners have warned that drivers using the route this month should stay alert to both planned works and unplanned incidents that can quickly change the travel picture.

The wider UK network is also under pressure. Other major roads, including sections of the M3 and routes in Lincolnshire and Surrey, have seen serious incidents and lane closures in recent days, leading to warnings of severe delays and heavy congestion. Today’s events on the A1 underline the vulnerability of long haul journeys to sudden disruption and the need for contingency planning when travelling at busy times.

Safety Focus On A1 As Investigators Examine The Cause

With collision investigators now working to piece together what happened near Buckton Moor, questions will once again be asked about safety along rural stretches of the A1 and other single carriageway or partially upgraded sections of the road between Newcastle and the Scottish border. The route has seen several serious incidents and temporary closures in recent years, often involving multiple vehicles and lengthy investigations.

Police have not yet suggested any specific cause for today’s crash, and it remains too early to say whether weather conditions, excessive speed, driver error or other factors may have played a role. However, the incident is likely to feed into ongoing discussions about road safety, speed limits and potential further improvements on northern sections of the A1 that long distance drivers share with local traffic, agricultural vehicles and tourists unfamiliar with the road.

Road safety campaigners, local councils and residents have repeatedly highlighted the importance of investment in infrastructure on this corridor, pointing to the combination of heavy goods traffic, seasonal holiday peaks and complex junction layouts. Findings from today’s investigation may inform future decisions on signage, enforcement and engineering measures intended to reduce the risk of similar multi vehicle collisions.

What Drivers Should Do If They Are Travelling Through Northumberland Today

For those who must travel in or through Northumberland today, authorities are stressing a few key points. First, drivers should check the latest traffic information before departure and be prepared to reroute if necessary. Conditions on the A1 can change quickly as closures are adjusted, recovery operations progress and lanes are gradually reopened.

Second, motorists should factor in significantly longer journey times. Severe disruption is expected to continue until at least late morning, and even once the road reopens, residual queues and slow moving traffic are likely for some time. Anyone heading to fixed time commitments such as hospital appointments, flights or work shifts is advised to contact providers and employers where possible to explain the situation.

Finally, drivers are being asked to exercise patience and caution on diversion routes. Many of the roads carrying displaced A1 traffic pass through small towns and villages, with lower speed limits, tight bends and increased numbers of pedestrians and cyclists. Local authorities and emergency services are urging road users to respect local communities, drive considerately and avoid taking unnecessary risks in an effort to make up lost time.

As the morning progresses, Northumbria Police and highway authorities are expected to release further updates on the status of the A1 and the outcome of emergency response efforts. Until then, the message for anyone planning to drive in Northumberland is clear: avoid the affected stretch of the A1, follow official diversions and plan for a slower, more complicated journey than usual.