M25 traffic RECAP: Gatwick rush hour chaos on major UK motorway over ‘people in road’

Motorists have faced travel chaos on a major motorway this morning with reports that traffic was being held due to "people in the road". Long queues built up on the M25 in both directions due to a police-led incident, which affected motorists heading along the motorway in Surrey, near Junction 6. Initial reports shortly before 5am indicated that this was due to "people in the road" and that the stoppage was likely to be temporary.

Traffic cameras on the route showed long lines of lorries and morning commuters stuck in snaking tailbacks while police responded to the incident. Traffic sensor Inrix read at 4.47am: "All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to people on the road on M25 in both directions between J6 A22 (Godstone) and Clacket Lane Services." Our blog on the motorway chaos has now ended:

11:54Tim Hanlon

More than 17m getaway trips expected this Bank Holiday weekend

The RAC says 17.6 million getaway trips by car are expected to take place in the UK between Friday and Monday.

Three million journeys for holidays or day trips are predicted to be made on Friday, rising to 3.4 million on Saturday. Some 2.4 million leisure journeys are expected on Sunday and 2.7 million on Monday. The RAC said an additional 6.1 million drivers are planning a trip at some point between Friday and Monday.

11:09Tim Hanlon

Road users warned over ling delays over Bank Holiday weekend

Congestion on the M25 comes as millions of people embarking on bank holiday getaways are being warned over long delays on the roads and disruption to train services.

The RAC urged drivers to set off as early as possible or "be prepared to spend longer in traffic". Major roads in the South East and South West are expected to be among the most congested. Transport analytics company Inrix predicted the M5 between Bristol and Devon will have the most severe getaway traffic, with the stretch from junction 15 north of Bristol to junction 23 for Bridgwater likely to see delays of more than 40 minutes on Friday and Saturday.

Hold-ups exceeding half an hour are forecast on Friday on the M20 in Kent, which is a route taken by a large proportion of vehicles making Channel crossings via Dover or Folkestone. The warning relates to journeys from J7 near Maidstone to junction three (Addington Interchange), and from junction one at Swanley to junction five at Aylesford.

09:59Tim Hanlon

Heavy congestion on M25 and speed down to 15mph with seven minute delays

Drivers are facing congestion in a separate incident on the M25 where there are delays of seven minutes. An AA travel map has the M25 coloured red near Leatherhead in Surrey with traffic travelling at just 15mph.

"Delays of seven minutes," it states, "on M25 clockwise between J9 A243 Leatherhead and J10 A3 Wisley Interchange, average speed 15."

09:06Tim Hanlon

No delays on M25 with traffic moving freely

Traffic appears to have returned to normal on the M25 in both directions with no delays reported. An AA route planner shows traffic moving steadily without disruption.

08:26Tim Hanlon

Police held traffic due to 'people in the road'

Police held traffic in both directions this morning on the M25 in Surrey due to "people in the road". Traffic now is easing but images showed long queues earlier due to the incident with few details having emerged so far over the cause.

Traffic sensor Inrix stated "long queues" around J6, with the route "blocked." It read at 4.47am: "All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to people on the road on M25 in both directions between J6 A22 (Godstone) and Clacket Lane Services."

07:55Tim Hanlon

Congestion on M25 easing with both lanes back open

Congestion on the M25 is now easing with motorway CCTV cameras showing traffic moving in both directions. The earlier police-led incident between Junction 5 (M26/Sevenoaks) and Junction 6 (Godstone) caused delays of 60 minutes, but both lanes have since reopened. Drivers are still advised to remain cautious and check for updates, especially those travelling towards Gatwick Airport, as some residual delays may persist.

Traffic has been released M25 in both directions between J5 #M26[1] #Sevenoaks[2] and J6 #Godstone[3] following a @SurreyPolice[4] led incident.

Thank you for your patience, please have a safe onward journey.@Gatwick_Airport pic.twitter.com/wO1aghAEwk[5][6]

-- National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) August 22, 2025[7]07:25Tim Hanlon

National Highways says that traffic has been released in police-led incident

National Highways South East has confirmed that traffic has now been released on the M25 in both directions between Junction 5 (M26/Sevenoaks) and Junction 6 (Godstone), following a police-led incident handled by Surrey Police. Traffic sensors previously gave an update reading: "Long delays due to rolling road block and police incident on M25 in both directions between J6 A22 (Godstone) and Clacket Lane Services."

Traffic being held this morning (National Highway)07:19Tim Hanlon

What we know so far about 'police-led incident' on M25

Drivers on the M25 are currently facing long delays due to a police led incident. It is yet to be confirmed what is the cause but there are queues in both directions between Junction 6 and Clacket Lane Services.

There have been reportst that the disruption is due to "people in the road". Traffic sensor Inrix read at 4.47am: "All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to people on the road on M25 in both directions between J6 A22 (Godstone) and Clacket Lane Services."

07:09KEY EVENT

Travellers to Gatwick Airport warned they could face delays

The disruption, confirmed by National Highways South East, may have impacted passengers travelling to Gatwick Airport. National Highways tagged Gatwick Airport in their social media update highlighting the potential impact on passengers travelling to and from the airport.

To get to Gatwick Airport from the M25, drivers exit at Junction 7 and then go onto the M23 to exit at Junction 9.

Drivers are facing long delays (Highways England)07:06Tim Hanlon

Motorists are facing delays of 60 minutes due to the incident near Godstone

National Highways has issued an alert to motorists travelling on the M25 this morning, warning of 60-minute delays between Junctions 5 and 6, due to the incident near Godstone.

07:05Tim Hanlon

M25 traffic 'held' by police

Police are continuing to hold vehicles travelling on the M25 in Surrey in both directions due to an ongoing incident.

Images from the building queues of traffic show the front of the blockage, where motorists are being forced to wait while the incident is resolved.

Traffic sensor Inrix now details "long queues" around J6, with the route "blocked."

References

1. ^ #M26 (twitter.com)
2. ^ #Sevenoaks (twitter.com)
3. ^ #Godstone (twitter.com)
4. ^ @SurreyPolice (twitter.com)
5. ^ @Gatwick_Airport (twitter.com)
6. ^ pic.twitter.com/wO1aghAEwk (t.co)
7. ^ August 22, 2025 (twitter.com)