Both carriageways were shut between junction 34 for Meadowhall, Sheffield, and junction 35 for the Chapeltown area of the city. Highways England said this was because of a large fuel spillage detected at around 6.30am.

       The signed southbound diversion took drivers off at junction 35 and onto local roads towards Rotherham, South Yorkshire. They then went right, southbound, onto the A6109, which reached junction 34 of the M1.

       Northbound motorists took the reverse of this route, or used the A6178 from junction 34 and then headed out of Rotherham on the local roads which reach junction 35.

       However, these routes were very busy as a result, reports Yorkshire Live.

       Highways England tweeted: "#M1 southbound #J35 (#ThorpeHesley) to #J34 (#Meadowhall #Sheffield) - we are in the process of closing this junction due to debris and oil spillage in the road."

       The oil was cleared off the motorway but this caused traffic to back up northbound to junction 33 for Rotherham south and Handsworth, Sheffield.

       Traffic was also slow southbound on the M1 from junction 36 for Tankersley, South Yorkshire.

       The road was expected to remain closed for some time.