Traffic stuck on the roads
(Picture: PA Archive)There was traffic chaos on the M25 after a lorry turned on its side and burst into flames on Thursday morning.
The vehicle caught fire between Junction 8 and Junction 9 at around 4am with diesel spilling on to the anticlockwise carriageway also on fire.
M25 South between 8&9 #M25 pic.twitter.com/Vn8d5amTxs
— Neil (@Neil97207045) December 1, 2022
Both sides of the motorway were shut with the clockwise side reopening at about 6am before National Highways posted an update said two more lanes had reopened shortly after noon but warned of hour-long delays.
2 lanes (of 4) remain closed on the #M25 anti-clockwise between J9 #Leatherhead and J8 #Reigate for recovery following a lorry fire.
— National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) December 1, 2022
Clear up works are also underway to treat and clear an extensive fuel spillage. Long delays of 60 mins on the approach.https://t.co/MXpsoRLlvA pic.twitter.com/3zCDpZfjjC
The fire also caused problems in nearby towns as traffic moved on diversion via Tolworth and Reigate while queues were also reported in Ashford, Sunbury, Cobham, Leatherhead, Walton and Esher.
Drivers went on line to complain about tailbacks with several saying they were missing flights because of the traffic.
Into hour number 6 of being sat on the M25. Can someone please sort this out already. It’s an absolute mess. Missed my flight. No food or water. And it’s 6 degrees. @SurreyPolice @HighwaysSEAST
— Megan Waugh (@meganjosiee) December 1, 2022
