M25 traffic LIVE: Two crashes cause huge motorway delays and air ambulance lands
Parts of the M25 were brought to a standstill after two horror crashes[1]. An air ambulance landed on the motorway[2] in response to one of the incidents. National Highways said traffic had been stopped on the anti-clockwise carriageway between junction 29, at Romford, and junction 28, at Brentwood following a crash and vehicle fire shortly before 7am.
The motorway was also closed clockwise between Waltham Cross at 25 and Waltham Abbey and 26 following a serious incident involving a lorry shortly after 8am, with an air ambulance responding.
12:06KEY EVENTTwo people rushed to hospital
The London Ambulance Service have just released a statement confirming two people were taken to hospital - one as a "priority". It read: "We were called at 8.33am today (29 October) to reports of a road traffic collision on the M25, Waltham Cross. "We sent an ambulance crew and an incident response officer to the scene.
"We treated two people and took one patient to hospital as a priority. The other patient was taken to hospital by East Anglian Air Ambulance."
11:30Sam Elliott-GibbsFive-mile tailbacks
Traffic is not easing, despite lanes re-opening. Pictures from the scene show the standstill after speed limits of 40mph at junction were put in place.
National Highways' latest update read: "There are approx.
5 miles congestion in both directions."
Traffic is still at a standstill11:08Sam Elliott-GibbsMotorists warned over long delays
National Highways are reporting delays of 90 minutes following the second incident. A diversion route has been put in place to avoid the M25 as police investigate at the scene.
10:51KEY EVENTNew serious incident brings further chaos
Another serious incident on the clockwise carriageway of the M25 between junctions 25 and 26 has brought further issues. An air ambulance is on the scene after a collision involving a lorry.
National Highways said the road will remain closed for several hours while police investigate the collision. There are currently 90 minute delays above normal travel time with six miles of congestion.
An air ambulance is on the scene at the M25 incident09:45Sam Elliott-GibbsThe areas impacted
This map shows the incredibly slow moving traffic on the M25. All lanes have now reopened but long delays are expected.
Traffic had been stopped on the anti-clockwise carriageway between junction 29, at Romford, and junction 28, at Brentwood.
There was an eight-mile traffic tailback just before 9am09:13Sam Elliott-GibbsLong delays still expected
Commuters' nightmare trips are not over with delays of around 80 minutes still expected. The long hold ups come following a vehicle collision and fire. Although all lanes have reopened, traffic on the anti-clock carriageway remains at a standstill.
The tailbacks stretch back to Lakeside shopping centre.
09:00Sam Elliott-GibbsInjuries remain unclear
It's thought this morning's collision happened at around 6.20am. Emergency services were called to the scene, but it is currently unknown if anyone has been injured. Traffic was halted on the stretch of the M25 while an oil spill was cleared from lanes two, three and four.
It's not clear if anyone was injured (National Highways)08:44Sam Elliott-GibbsAll lanes have reopened
Traffic is starting to flow again on the anti-clockwise carriageway.
All lanes have been reopened after three were closed following an oil spillage. However, drivers are warned to expect still delays of more than 80 minutes during the rush hour. Motorists are continuing to be advised to allow extra travel time - or to seek alternative routes.
08:37Sam Elliott-GibbsHow long are the tailbacks?
Motorists are being warned of eight miles of congestion after the issues in Essex.
Traffic had been stopped on the anti-clockwise carriageway between junction 29, at Romford, and junction 28, at Brentwood. There are several eight miles of tailbacks, which stretch back to Lakeside shopping centre.
08:33Sam Elliott-GibbsWhat caused the delay?
The long delay comes following a vehicle collision and fire. Emergency services attended just before 7am this morning.
Rush hour traffic has been backed up (National Highways)08:20Sam Elliott-GibbsNational Highways latest announcement
National Highways said in their latest update: "All lanes have reopened on the #M25 anti-clockwise between J29 (#Romford) and J28 (#Brentwood) following an earlier collision and vehicle fire.
"There are approx.
8 miles congestion following this incident causing over 80 min delays.
"Please allow time for these delays to clear."