Cliff Notes
- Passengers travelling to Heathrow Airport are experiencing significant delays following a vehicle fire in a tunnel early this morning.
- The airport reported that road access to Terminals 2 and 3 is partially restricted due to the incident, advising travellers to leave more time for their journey and consider using public transport.
- One lane has been closed on Tunnel Road, leading to queuing traffic and congestion on the M4 southbound spur and surrounding roads.
- The London Fire Brigade responded to the fire involving a diesel-powered vehicle at approximately 3am; no injuries were reported, and the affected tunnel has since reopened.
- Travellers reported mixed experiences on social media, with some describing chaotic traffic conditions while others reported smooth transit through the airport.
Passengers travelling to Heathrow Airport face delays on M4 after car catches fire in tunnel | UK News
Passengers travelling to Heathrow Airport are facing delays on the road after a vehicle caught fire in a tunnel.
“Due to an earlier vehicle fire, road access to Terminals 2 and 3 is partially restricted,” the airport said in a post on X shortly before 7am.
“Passengers are advised to leave more time travelling to the airport and use public transport where possible.
“We apologise for the disruption caused.”
AA Roadwatch said one lane was closed and there was “queueing traffic” due to a vehicle fire on Tunnel Road “both ways from Terminals 2 and 3 to M4 Spur Road (Emirates roundabout)”.
“Congestion to the M4 back along the M4 Spur, and both sides on the A4. Down to one lane each way through one tunnel…,” it added.
National Highways: East said in an update: “Traffic officers have advised that the M4 southbound spur Heathrow in Greater London between the J4 and J4A has now been reopened.”
The agency warned of “severe delays on the approach” to the airport, recommended allowing extra time to get there and thanked travellers for their patience.
The London Fire Brigade said in a post on X just before at 7.51am it was called “just before 3am” to a car fire in a tunnel near HeathrowAirport.
“Firefighters attended and extinguished the fire, which involved a diesel-powered vehicle. No one was hurt and the airport has now confirmed the tunnel has re-opened.”
Travellers writing on social media reported constrasting experiences, with @ashleyark calling it “complete chaos on all surrounding roads”, but @ClaraCouchCASA said she “went to T5 and got the express to T3”, describing the journey as “very easy and no time delay at all. 7am this morning. Hope this helps others”.
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