M23 clean up operation underway after ‘significant fuel spillage’ causes lane closures near Gatwick
A "significant fuel spillage" that stretched more than a mile stopped drivers on the M23 in their tracks on Thursday, May 15. The incident near Gatwick[1] Airport was first reported just after 10am, with a full closure of northbound carriageway coming into force shortly after and a clean up operation stretching into the afternoon. Highways officers have said there is no estimated time for the road to fully reopen while the motorway[2] is cleared.
Traffic was held just before 10.30am between junction 10a to junction 9, with delays building back to junction 11 near Pease Pottage. National Highways confirmed the spillage was caused after a diesel tank fell from a lorry, and ruptured with its contents seeping onto the road. Traffic[3] officers were forced to close lanes to ensure the carriageway was safe before drivers could continue with their journeys.
Traffic flow resumed just after 11.25am but lane closures remain in place. The northbound entry slip road at junction 10 also remains closed, with one lane on the M23 shut. Those hoping to join the M23 northbound at junction 10 may need to use an alternative route.
A National Highways spokesperson told SurreyLive[4]: "A HGV's diesel tank fell onto the road surface and ruptured just after 9.30am, causing a significant fuel spillage[5]. A closure of lane one of the northbound carriageway between J10 and J9 is being installed to allow the surface to be treated and cleared. "The northbound entry slip at J10 is also closed.
Traffic was temporarily held in lanes two and three but has since been released." The spokesperson added: "We don't have an ETA for it to be fully cleared and re-opened at this stage due to the extent of the spillage, which stretched for more than a mile. "We have been and continue to use high-pressure water blasting treatment.
Once this has been completed, the surface will be assessed to ensure the treatment was successful."
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