Thousands of motorists were facing Christmas Eve travel chaos because an overturned lorry was balancing on the edge of a busy motorway.
The M40 in Oxfordshire was closed southbound between Junction 8a for Waterstock and Junction 6 for Lewknor to enable the vehicle to be removed.
This was causing delays of around 45 minutes, but it has since reopened.
The lorry was involved in a crash on Tuesday morning, which has left it overhanging a footpath below.
Work to repair a damaged safety barrier will also be required.
Craig Sowden, operations manager for National Highways' East region, said: "This collision has left a HGV balancing precariously over a footpath used by members of the public below.
"We have looked at all possible options but the only way to manage this situation safely is to close the carriageway.
"We thank drivers for their patience and would advise them to allow extra time for their journeys."
The A14 was also closed westbound in Cambridgeshire between J22 Brampton Interchange and J13 Thrapston.
“This is due to a very serious collision,” National Highways said in an alert.
“Cambridgeshire Police, Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue are attending the scene.
“Information from scene indicates that this closure will be in place for a number of hours for police investigations.”
Earlier on Christmas Eve, London rail passengers were also facing disruption after the Piccadilly Line and the Lioness Line were part-suspended.
By 9pm, there was still no service between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge due a shortage of Piccadilly line trains due to “damage caused by leaf fall”.
Earlier, South Western Rail trains between London Waterloo and Guildford were warned of delays due to engineering works, while those travelling by train on London bound services from Rugby were told their trains would take a 30-minute diversion via Northampton.
This was due to a faulty train between Rugby and Milton Keynes.
Elsewhere, in the United States ordered all American Airlines flights grounded in the US due to a technical fault.
In social media replies to frustrated travellers, the airline said: "Our team is currently working to rectify this. Your continued patience is appreciated."
The company has not issued a press release explaining the issue and an email asking for comment was not immediately returned.
A post on the Federal Aviation Administration's website acknowledged the airline's request for a "nationwide groundstop" for all American Airlines planes and their subsidiary airlines.
The groundings came as millions attempted to make a Christmas getaway.
The US Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers over the holidays and through January 2.
