Delays after chemical van crashes

Emergency services worked to clear the road

A van carrying chemicals has caused huge tailbacks after overturning on the M74 near Biggar, Lanarkshire.

The van crashed and hit the central reservation close to Junction 14, at Elvanfoot, early on Saturday morning.

A number of drums fell onto the motorway and blocked the road, but no chemicals escaped from the containers.

Both carriageways were closed while a clean-up operation took place and queues of traffic stretched back several miles in both directions.

Strathclyde Police said the Renault Cargo van, carrying drums of low risk chemicals, overturned at about 0530 BST.

The driver of the van was not injured.

Police said that due to the nature of the contents of the drums, the fire service moved the containers with the help of officers from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

A spokesman added that there had been no danger to property or members of the public.

The road was closed for almost 10 hours before being reopened.