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Section of major route shut following HGV fire

Eddie Mitchell Firefighters tackling what looks like groceries which are on fire and have fallen out the back of a HGV.Eddie Mitchell
National Highways said there was about four miles of traffic because of the incident

A major route in West Sussex has been closed after an HGV fire.

At about 18:00 BST, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said the southbound stretch of the A23 between Handcross and Slaugham had been closed because of the vehicle fire, but the northbound carriageway remained open.

An hour later, the service said the fire had been extinguished and one lane was due to reopen shortly to the "heavy" traffic.

However, a diversion had been put in place at Junction 11 near Pease Pottage and drivers were urged to continue to avoid the area.

National Highways said there were four miles of congestion and delays of about an hour at about 18:30.

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