Major motorway traffic chaos as lorry crash causes closure and huge delays

Two lorries have been involved in a crash[1] on the M25[2] leading to huge delays. A waste lorry has overturned causing a spillage of oil, diesel and waste on the motorway[3]. The anticlockwise carriageway between J6 and J5 was shut in the early hours, and is expected to remain closed this morning. National Highways[4] said "extensive and complex" work is needed to clear the spillage, and the road will need to be resurfaced.

There are major traffic delays in the area as a result, impacting people heading to Heathrow Airport[5], Gatwick Airport[6], the Eurotunnel terminal[7] and Folkestone, and the Port of Dover. Follow our blog for the latest updates below...

10:45Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Traffic is heavy through diversions

Motorway cameras showing the long delays (www.motorwaycameras.co.uk)10:17Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Large area affected

Traffic delays are affecting a large stretch of the motorway10:16Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Accident investigation underway

Vehicles which were caught up in the initial road closure have now all been released. Accident investigators are now on the motorway collecting evidence and the road will remain closed while this takes place.

10:13Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Crash took place at 4.14am

National Highways sayd that the incident was first reported at 4.14am today.

They said by 7am there were delays of 40 minutes on the approach to the closed section. It expects delays to stretch for the rest of the morning.

09:58Ethan Blackshaw

Motorway will need to resurfaced

National Highways said the road will need to be resurfaced following the "large spillage". Oil, diesel and waste poured onto the motorway after one of the lorries overturned.

09:56KEY EVENT

One person hospitalised

One person was taken to Kings College Hospital in London following the collision, according to South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb).

The crash involved two lorries and occurred in the early hours of this morning.

09:31Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Fire crews are at the scene

We're currently in attendance at a serious collision on the M25, bet. J5 and 6, Godstone to Sevenoaks. The road has been closed and is likely to be for some time, which will affect rush hour traffic on surrounding roads.

Please avoid the area and allow extra time for your... pic.twitter.com/WiMHdgaFOM[8]

-- Surrey Fire & Rescue Service (@SurreyFRS) May 14, 2025[9] 09:23KEY EVENT

Closure to be "protracted"

The closure is expected to be extensive due to the clean-up needed and resurfacing work. A National Highways spokesman said: "The M25 in Surrey is closed anti-clockwise between J6 Godstone Interchange (East Grinstead, Eastbourne, Caterham, Godstone A22; Westerham (A25)) and J5 Chevening Interchange (Maidstone, Channel Tunnel, Dover M26 (M20); Sevenoaks, Hastings A21) "This is due to a collision involving 2 lorries.

1 of the lorries (a tanker transporting waste) has overturned. There is a spillage of oil, diesel and waste on the motorway. "Due to the spillage it is highly likely this closure will be protracted as an extensive and complex clean-up and recovery operation will be required.

Following which the road is likely to need resurfacing before it can be re-opened. "Traffic caught within the closure has now cleared. Accident investigations are now taking place."

It gave the diversion route as follows... Road users are advised to follow the Hollow Square diversion symbol on road signs. Exit the M25 at J6 then at the Godstone Interchange take the 3rd exit onto the A22 towards East Grinstead.

At the A22/A25 roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A25 towards Westerham. Follow the A25 through Limpsfield, Oxted, Westerham, Brasted and Sundridge. At the traffic signal junction A25/M25 turn left to re-join the M25 towards Dartford Crossing.

If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.

09:20Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Diversions in place from the M25

NEW INCIDENT#M25[10] anti-clockwise between J6 #Godstone[11] #Surrey[12] and J5 #Sevenoaks[13] #Kent[14] #A21[15] #M26[16] (#M20[17]) ROAD CLOSED

Due to a 2 lorry collision resulting in one overturning.

Large spillage of oil and diesel.

Further info to follow regarding diversion, release of traffic. pic.twitter.com/KJXASILXIr[18]

-- National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) May 14, 2025[19] 09:14KEY EVENT

Carriageway closed

The anticlockwise carriageway between junction six (Godstone) and five (Chevening) was shut at about 04:14 BST and is expected to remain closed throughout rush hour.

References

1. ^ crash (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ M25 (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ motorway (www.mirror.co.uk)
4. ^ National Highways (www.mirror.co.uk)
5. ^ Heathrow Airport (www.mirror.co.uk)
6. ^ Gatwick Airport (www.mirror.co.uk)
7. ^ Eurotunnel terminal (www.mirror.co.uk)
8. ^ pic.twitter.com/WiMHdgaFOM (t.co)
9. ^ May 14, 2025 (twitter.com)
10. ^ #M25 (twitter.com)
11. ^ #Godstone (twitter.com)
12. ^ #Surrey (twitter.com)
13. ^ #Sevenoaks (twitter.com)
14. ^ #Kent (twitter.com)
15. ^ #A21 (twitter.com)
16. ^ #M26 (twitter.com)
17. ^ #M20 (twitter.com)
18. ^ pic.twitter.com/KJXASILXIr (t.co)
19. ^ May 14, 2025 (twitter.com)