M3 emergency resurfacing required after lorry crash and oil spillage next to M25
National Highways says the section of the M3 eastbound will remain closed for 'several hours'
14:01, 19 Mar 2026
View 2 ImagesTwo people were taken to St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey following the crash (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
A significant crash on the M3 eastbound has seen the motorway closed into the afternoon. And emergency resurfacing is now required before it can reopen.
The collision, involving two heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) at around 4am this morning (March 19), caused an oil spill on the motorway. The M3 eastbound was closed from junction 3 for Lightwater to junction 2 for Thorpe/M25[1] until around 10.30am, when the majority of it reopened.
The motorway around J2, where it meets the M25, remains closed and is due to stay this way for "several hours", according to National Highways.
A spokesperson said, at around 1pm: "The up and over closure on the M3 eastbound at J2 (M25) remains in place.
"Emergency resurfacing is required so the road will remain closed for several hours. There are no delays on approach."
View 2 ImagesThe M3 eastbound is currently closed around J2 (at the M25), as depicted in the white and black. This is to allow for recovery work to be completed following an earlier crash which caused an oil spill(Image: National Highways)
In describing what took place in the crash earlier this morning, National Highways explained that one of the HGVs struck a gantry, while the other sustained a ruptured fuel tank, resulting in a "substantial" spillage of diesel across the carriageway. The scene was attended by Surrey Police[2], alongside the fire and ambulance services.
The oil spillage has meant that emergency resurfacing is required.
While this takes place, drivers cannot directly cross the J2, however they can go to and continue from the M25.
While it can be hard to predict exactly when the M3 eastbound will fully reopen, according to National Highways live traffic updates, it expects the closure to be lifted by around 7pm this evening.
Describing its involvement in the incident, a spokesperson for the South East Coast Ambulance service (SECAmb) said: "SECAmb was called at approximately 4.05am today, following reports of an RTC involving two HGVs on the M3 between J3 and 2.
Article continues below"Crews attended the scene, including a critical care paramedic, and the two drivers were assessed and treated at the scene, one for a shoulder injury, before being taken to St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey[3] for further medical treatment."