M25 delays hit thousands of drivers following two closures
Thousands of drivers have been hit by delays on the M25 following closures on the motorway. Delays are currently impacting two areas of the motorway.
The first is in the clockwise direction around London, and is between Junction 5 in Kent and Junction 6 in Surrey. This was the result of a lorry catching fire.
Another closure is affecting the road on the northbound east tunnel of the Dartford Crossing between Essex and Kent. This has been closed after a maintenance vehicle broke down, causing a large spillage.
Motorists have been hit by severe delays on the M25 (Image: PA)
Both of the incident have led to congestion stretching back several miles. They are expected to continue throughout Monday.
On Sunday night, a lorry caught fire between Clacket Lane service station and Junction 6. At around 7am on Monday, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said that one fire engine remained at the scene so the crew could damp down on remaining hot spots.
The blaze led to traffic being stopped in both directions as firefighters moved in to bring it under control. According to National Highways, two of the four lanes on the anticlockwise direction were reopened shortly after 3am on Monday.
Recovery workers are attending to the crash site to remove the wreckage (Image: PA)
Nonetheless, the National Highways office reported that the clockwise carriageway is 'likely to remain closed throughout the day'. Emergency services will need to use specialist equipment to remove the lorry.
It is also likely that the road will need resurfacing as a result of the damage. The incident led to 'severe delays' of two and a half hours, with congestion stretching back around four miles according to National Highways.
National Highways also confirmed that traffic is currently being diverted via A-roads in order to ease congestion. The incident also saw the M26 westbound closed between Junction 2A and the M25/A21.
Delays are ongoing following the lorry fire on the M25 (Image: PA)
At the Dartford Crossing, a separate incident saw the Dartford east tunnel closed due to works running over. The work had been due to be completed overnight but overran after a vehicle broke down.
This required emergency resurfacing works to be carried out. National Highways said that there is a 'large spillage within the tunnel', and warned that it would 'remain closed throughout the day.'
National Highways added that there were seven miles of traffic queuing. It also warned of 'severe delays on all approaches'.