Newbury grinds to a halt as the A34 southbound is closed

Update: The A34 reopened at around 7.45am today (Thursday).

Update: Due to the oil spillage, the road requires emergency resurfacing works before it can be re-opened. The resurfacing works will take place overnight.

The A34 southbound between the A343 near Newbury and the A303 near Sutton Scotney has been closed following a collision.

Emergency services are in attendance.

National Highways has put a diversion route in place :

From the A34 southbound, leave at the Wash Common interchange.

At the roundabout, use the third exit and join the A343.

Follow the A343 beneath the A34 and continue for approximately 14 miles into Andover.

At the A3093 roundabout, use the first exit and join the A3093 (Churchill Way).

Continue on the A3093 over two intermediate roundabouts to the A303 Picket Twenty interchange.

Use the first exit and join the A303 eastbound.

Follow for approximately five miles to the A34 Bullington Cross interchange.

Leave the A303 and continue to a roundabout.

Use the second exit and join a link road to a further roundabout, passing beneath the A34 and A303 between.

At the roundabout, use the second exit and rejoin the A34 southbound.

Due to the road closure there is heavy traffic in Newbury along the A4 Bath Road to the Robin Hood Roundabout, also along the A339 from Chieveley to Newbury.