M25 reopens on Surrey/Kent border after waste lorry overturned in collision

Play Brightcove video

A section of the M25 motorway was closed because of a crash involving two lorries.

Drivers are being advised that the anti-clockwise M25 has reopened between junctions 6 (Godstone Interchange, Surrey) and 5 (Chevening Interchange, Kent) following the serious collision earlier today (Wednesday 14 May).

Job Vacancies

Contact/Information

National Highways said: "The incident involved an overturned waste tanker, resulting in a significant diesel and oil spill over the carriageway.

"Now that the police investigation and recovery has completed, National Highways engineers have been able to assess the damage and confirmed that two lanes will need to be resurfaced before all four lanes can safely reopen.

"Repairs to the nearside barrier will be carried out this afternoon.

"The resurfacing will need three lanes to be closed.

"National Highways has taken the decision to reopen the outside two lanes to help drivers this afternoon and carry out the resurfacing tonight, once traffic flows have lowered."

Surrey Police say a man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving without due care.

The collision affected thousands of vehicles heading to or from locations such as Heathrow and Gatwick airports, the Port of Dover and the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone.

A tanker involved in the collision was transporting waste and had "overturned and ruptured", National Highways said.

A man aged 30 and a woman aged 25 have been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving without due care.

A man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The authority is looking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or anyone with CCTV, dashcam, or helmet cam footage that may have captured all or part of this incident, to get in touch quoting PR/45250057149.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories?

Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...