M3 full diversion route as lorry crash and oil spill shut motorway

A crash involving two heavy good vehicles has closed a significant section of the M3 in Surrey

08:55, 19 Mar 2026

A large portion of the M3 northbound is currently closed in Surrey(Image: National Highways)

The M3 eastbound in Surrey is closed between junction 3 for the Bagshot Interchange and junction 2 for the M25[1] due to a lorry crash. The collision happened earlier this morning (March 19) and has involved two heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

According to National Highways, one of the HGVs struck a gantry following the collision. The other has sustained a ruptured fuel tank, resulting in a substantial spillage of diesel across the carriageway.

For live updates on this incident as we have them, follow our live blog here[2].

Surrey Police[3], alongside the fire and ambulance services and National Highways traffic officers, are all at the scene.

It is not yet clear as to when the M3 northbound will reopen.

A spokesperson for Surrey Fire & Rescue Service explained: "We received a call at 4am to a road traffic collision on the M3 between J3 (Lightwater) and J2 (Thorpe) - as you go onto the M25. We have four fire engines in attendance.

"As a result the eastbound carriageways are closed. This is causing significant delays and traffic - we are expecting closures to be in place for some time due to debris.

"Please avoid the M3 eastbound until further notice.

Both drivers are out of the vehicles and are being checked over by health partner colleagues."

National Highways are advising drivers to allow for extra journey time if using the M3 this morning.

Congestion had spread back to J4 (Camberley[4]) and nearly two miles back on the A322 in Bagshot to the Swinley Road Gyratory, as of 8.30am this morning.

National Highways has provided a diversion route for the M3 northbound.

Whereby road users are advised to follow the route marked with a solid diamond symbol on road signs:

• Leave the M3 at J3 northbound off-slip;
• At the roundabout, use the first exit and join the A322 Bracknell Road;
• Continue for approximately 0.5 miles and pass beneath the A30;
• Just beyond, join the slip road to the A30 London Road and merge with the main carriageway;
• Turn left onto the A30 and follow for approximately 8 miles through Sunningdale and continue to Egham;
• At the A30 Egham Bypass roundabout, use the second exit and follow the A30 to J13 of the M25;
• At the J13 roundabout take the fourth exit to join the M25 anti-clockwise;
• Continue to J12 and bear left to re-join the M3 eastbound.

References

1. ^ M25 (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
2. ^ follow our live blog here (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
3. ^ Surrey Police (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
4. ^ Camberley (www.getsurrey.co.uk)