THURSDAY UPDATE 6.30am: THE A1 should be back to normal by 8am, according to the Highways Agency.

UPDATE 6.30pm: Motorists are warned it will be at least 2am before traffic conditions return to normal.

UPDATE 5pm: Traffic is also building up on the A47 - from the Thorpe Wood junction with the A1260 parkway - leading up to the junction with the A1 as the rush hours gets under way. Expect 30-minute delays.

4pm: Residents near the scene have been urged to stay indoors and motorists to keep their windows shut following the spillage of a "yellow powder"

3.15pm: The A1 is closed both north and south near Peterborough because of a lorry spill.

The vehicle is believed to have spilled its load of waste on the central reservation near the Water Newton turning at about 1.50pm - and the A1 is closed between the A605 junction 16 and junction 17 with the A47. See the affected roads on a Google Map.

Are you near the scene? What are your experiences?
Comment below, email us: news@ peterboroughtoday.co.uk or telephone the newsdesk 01733 588719.
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It is not expected to reopen until 6pm.

Emergency services and the Environment Agency are at the scene.

Police have not revealed what the waste contains, other than the spillage is harmful if swallowed, absorbed or inhaled.

Updates will appear here.