Police are investigating the discovery of a man’s body in undergrowth near the M1 motorway in Hertfordshire. The grim find was made by road workers on Monday afternoon, prompting closures and severe traffic delays.
M1 Closures Cause Rush Hour Chaos
The M1 was shut down in both directions between junctions 5 and 6 near Watford around 15:00 GMT on Monday. Drivers faced significant disruption during the evening commute, with the southbound lanes reopening by 18:30 and the northbound section following at 22:00.
However, one northbound lane remained closed on Tuesday but was expected to fully reopen between 18:15 and 18:30, according to authorities.
Police Investigating ‘Unexplained’ Death
Hertfordshire Police have described the circumstances surrounding the man’s death as “unexplained” and confirmed that officers are actively working to uncover further details.
“Officers are currently working to establish the circumstances of the man’s death, which are currently unexplained, and will remain in the area this evening and tomorrow,” said a police spokesperson.
The discovery was reported by National Highways road workers, who came across the body during routine maintenance. National Highways has not issued a public statement on the matter at this time.
Traffic Impact and Ongoing Investigation
The closures on the M1 caused significant delays for drivers during one of the busiest times of the day. Police remain on-site as investigations continue, with updates expected as more information becomes available.
Motorists traveling in the area are advised to check for updates on traffic conditions and avoid the affected section where possible.
