M25 reopens after lorry fire but crash causes new Dartford Tunnel closure - live
The M25 has completely reopened between Surrey and Kent following a major lorry fire that caused lane closures for over 24 hours.
A Tesco truck caught fire on the M25, between Clacket Lane and Junction 6, close to Godstone in Surrey, around 10 PM on Sunday.
The M25 was closed in both directions overnight, with the lanes heading clockwise shut for approximately 30 hours as the truck was taken away and emergency road repairs were performed.
The event also resulted in the closure of the M26 heading west from junction 2A near Wrotham Heath to the intersection of the M25 and A21.
In an announcement made just after 4:30 AM on Tuesday, National Highways reported that the M25 is now completely open again.
In the meantime, the Dartford Crossing is experiencing new delays because of an accident that shut down one of the tunnels, leading to traffic backing up in a counterclockwise direction. However, Kent County Council has reported that the tunnel is now open again.
This follows an incident where hydraulic fluid from a maintenance vehicle leaked, leading to the closure of one of the tunnels on Monday and resulting in several hours of delays for drivers.
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Traffic Jam At Dartford Tunnel
There is heavy traffic on the way to the Dartford Tunnel because of an earlier accident on the M25 going west, near the tunnel exit.
Traffic monitoring websites indicate that there is heavy traffic at the J2 A2 Darenth Interchange.
Drivers are being urged to plan for longer travel times.
Accident Leads To Dartford Crossing Closure
An accident has shut down two lanes between the Dartford Tunnel and junction 31 (Purfleet). The left tunnel of the Dartford is also currently blocked.
This follows a day of disruption at the Dartford Crossing, where a spill of hydraulic fluid led to the closure of one of the tunnels on Monday.
The M25 connecting Surrey and Kent has now reopened after being shut down due to a significant truck fire on Sunday night.
The fire caused the motorway to close in both directions between J5 and J6, with traffic moving clockwise coming to a standstill into the early hours of Tuesday. Emergency crews worked to clear the charred remains and repair the road's surface.
At 4:31 AM, National Highways announced that all lanes are now completely open.
We're back with our live updates on travel as the morning commute starts to pick up.
Keep following us for all the latest updates as the day unfolds.
The Standard's live updates have been put on hold for the night.
In the meantime, a "complicated process" is going on until Monday night to clear away the wreckage of a truck that caught fire on Sunday.
Catch up on the most recent transportation news from the Evening Standard right here.
"Complex Operation To Continue Overnight"
A “complicated operation” will carry on overnight to remove the debris of a truck that burned down on Sunday.
In their most recent announcement, National Highways reported that the M25 is still shut in the clockwise direction from Sevenoaks to Godstone due to a significant fire involving a heavy goods vehicle.
Efforts Underway To Dismantle Burned Lorry
National Highways has announced that efforts are currently being made to take apart the truck that caught fire on the M25 on Sunday night, describing the process as happening gradually.
According to the National Highway's website, the car's body is too delicate to be salvaged using standard techniques.
The repair work for all lanes on the main part of the M25 and both lanes of the exit ramp will carry on overnight.
M25 Delays Lasting 2.5 Hours Persist
According to the National Highways website, delays of up to two and a half hours continue on the M25.
Recent updates indicate that significant delays are ongoing, and the road continues to be closed.
Traffic is still backed up for miles following a Tesco truck that caught fire on the M25 between Clacket Lane and Junction 6, close to Godstone in Surrey, at 10 PM on Sunday.
Dartford Tunnel Closed For Emergency Repairs
National Highways has announced that the Dartford Tunnel is closed to eastbound traffic because of emergency repaving work.
The problem is leading to delays of up to 90 minutes, and lengthy waits are anticipated to continue into Monday night.
Drivers Advised To Steer Clear Of M25, Dartford Tunnel Closures During Evening Commute
National Highways has now issued a warning that the M25 and Dartford Tunnel are expected to stay shut for the entire evening.
One of the tunnels at Dartford has been closed since hydraulic fluid spilled onto the road during maintenance last night. This has caused significant traffic congestion as vehicles wait to get to the crossing.
The M25 is currently closed in the clockwise direction between junctions 5 and 6 due to a Tesco truck catching fire there last night. Additionally, one lane of the anti-clockwise side near junction 6 is closed, and the M26 is shut westbound between junction 2A and the M25/A21 interchange.
The shutdowns have been significantly impacting highways and nearby streets throughout the day, and repairs are anticipated to continue into the evening. Robert Bell, the Network Operations Manager for National Highways in the South East, has recommended that drivers steer clear of the area if they can.
"The difficulties and significant destruction caused by these events will likely affect tonight's rush hour. I recommend that you prepare for your travels, give yourself extra time, and steer clear of the affected area if you can."
“We have detours set up, but because these events are affecting one another, there is already considerable disruption in the nearby areas. We anticipate that the situation will worsen as we approach the evening rush hour.”
Our top priority is to clear these roads, and we're putting in every effort to ensure that happens.
"The M25 and Dartford crossing are key components of our road system, and we recognize how frustrating and disruptive closures can be. We are grateful for everyone's patience and support as we carry out these important repairs."
