A34 northbound to remain closed for "several hours" and southbound to be closed

The emergency services were alerted to the incident shortly after 5am this morning in which an articulated heavy goods vehicle (HGV) has overturned and is blocking both lanes of the northbound carriageway between the Wash Common and Speen junctions.
All traffic is being diverted off at the Wash Common junction, via the A343 and through central Newbury to rejoin the A34 at Chieveley, causing severe delays to motorists on surrounding roads including the A339.
Thames Valley Police and fire crews from Newbury and Tilehurst are at the scene, including with a heavy rescue unit.
A spokeswoman for Thames Valley Police, Hannah Williams, said the northbound carriageway was likely to remain closed “for several hours”.
She said that the southbound carriageway was also about to be closed for approximately two hours to allow for the recovery of the vehicle.
Motorists are being urged to avoid the area and find alternative routes where possible.