The 60t mobile crane burst into flames on Monday at around 7pm as it was travelling northbound on the M1 and stopped on the exit slip road at junction 26, near Nottingham.

A Highways Agency spokesperson said: “The size and weight of the crane means we will need to totally lift it up and put it onto a low loader.

“The carriageway underrneath the crane has also been damaged. We will carry out repair work throughout the night to get the road reopened in time for tomorrow morning’s peak time traffic.

“The closures are necessary in order for recovery and repair work to take place safely and quickly.”