Long M25 traffic delays after lorry catches fire causing two-hour queues | UK News
Drivers on the M25 face every motorist’s worst nightmare after a lorry fire- a huge queue that could take two hours to navigate.
The lorry caught fire this morning near junction J6 Godstone on the clockwise carriageway of the busy motorway in Surrey.
Recovery work is ongoing, but the incident is causing queues of up to two hours as congestion stretches for ten miles. Footage shows the badly burnt lorry.
Motorists have also been warned of planned weekend closures on the M25 and M62 in Rochdale. Scroll further down to read more about how they will affect journeys.
Delays on M25 in Hertfordshire after crash
The M25 is feeling the brunt of Friday traffic after several incidents across the London Orbital Motorway.
A crash near Potters Bar in Hertfordshire between J24 and J23 is causing delays anticlockwise.
Footage shows an ambulance on the carriageway as traffic is being held behind it.
Drivers should prepare for 30-minute delays on approach to the crash site.
Trespasser delays trains to London Euston
Several train operators have been affected by a trespasser on tracks between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street.
Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, London Northwestern Railway, Transport for Wales and West Midlands Railway trains have been hit by delays and cancellations.
Trains could be delayed by up to 30 minutes, cancelled or revised.
Here are the affected routes.
Avanti West Coast between Glasgow Central / Edinburgh and London Euston
CrossCountry between Manchester Piccadilly and Bristol Temple Meads / Bournemouth
London Northwestern Railway between Liverpool Lime Street / Shrewsbury and Birmingham New Street
Transport for Wales between Holyhead / Aberystwyth and Birmingham International
West Midlands Railway between Wolverhampton and Walsall
â ï¸Due to trespassers on the railway between Wolverhampton and Sandwell & Dudley, some lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be delayed or diverted.
Please continue to check your journey ðhttps://t.co/gHe5m9i9uF
— Avanti West Coast (@AvantiWestCoast) September 20, 2024
Footage shows lorry after fire on the M25
Traffic on the M25 in Surrey between junctions J5 and J6 has been chock-a-block for hours after the truck fire this morning.
Footage shows the recovery operation underway, with the lorry now emptied out and emergency crews waiting for the truck wreckage to be removed.
It appeared to be carrying barrels or kegs.
Three lanes out of four are now open which will come as a relief to drivers caught in the traffic chaos.
There are still two-and-a-half-hour delays and around 12 miles of congestion in the area, National Highways said.
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Heathrow Express airport trains hit by delays
If you’re travelling to and from Heathrow Airport this morning, your journey might take longer than usual on the Heathrow Express.
Heathrow Express says some of its trains are currently delayed.
The cause of the delays has not been confirmed, but passengers should allow extra time for their journeys.
Some Heathrow Express trains to and from Heathrow Airport are currently delayed. Please allow extra time for your journey. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. pic.twitter.com/VbyaqGQC2F
— Heathrow Express (@HeathrowExpress) September 20, 2024
Truck fire on the M25 causes long delays
The Friday morning commute is off to a difficult start on the M25.
The worst traffic hotspot is in Surrey clockwise between Sevenoaks and Caterham after an earlier crash, followed by a truck fire.
A truck has gone up in flames near junction J6 on the clockwise carriageway, causing delays of up to two hours against expected traffic.
Tailbacks are reaching back to junction J5, where the crash happened earlier, and beyond for about ten miles.
Three out of four lanes are closed, National Highways said.
2 lanes (of 3) are closed on the #M25 clockwise between J5 #Sevenoaks & J6 #Godstone following a serious lorry fire.
Delays of 2 hours and approx. 10 miles of congestion on approach.
Please allow extra time if travelling in the area this morning. pic.twitter.com/uFU1ceP2ZY
— National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) September 20, 2024
September 20, 2024 6:56 am
Disruption at London Euston station causes lines to close
Commuters at London Euston station (Picture: EPA)
A fault with the signalling system between Watford Junction and London Euston means some lines are currently closed.
National Rail said trains may be cancelled, delayed or revised.
It is expected to last until 8.30am.
M25 told to divert due to slip road closures next weekend
Junction 10 on the M25 is set to be closed for the next three weekends.
Drivers have been told to find other routes on the motorway.
National Highways said: ‘Drivers will need to the use junction 10 of the M25 differently for two weekends in October and one at the start of November.
‘While the A3 and the M25 will both be open, the slip roads off and on the junction won’t be. This means you won’t be able to leave or join the M25 or the A3 at junction 10.’
The dates affected are:
October 4-7
October 18-21
November 1-4
M62 closure will cause delays for the second time this month
Drivers have been told to expect delays as work is carried out on a railway bridge.
The road will be closed between 9pm on Friday, September 20, and 6am on Monday, September 23, to allow Network Rail to complete the work.