M25 traffic LIVE: Two crashes cause huge motorway delays and air ambulance lands
Parts of the M25 were brought to a standstill after two horror crashes[1]. An air ambulance landed on the motorway[2] in response to one of the incidents. National Highways said traffic had been stopped on the anti-clockwise carriageway between junction 29, at Romford, and junction 28, at Brentwood following a crash and vehicle fire shortly before 7am.
The motorway was also closed clockwise between Waltham Cross at 25 and Waltham Abbey and 26 following a serious incident involving a lorry shortly after 8am, with an air ambulance responding.
16:11Tim HanlonLane 1 remains closed on the M25 as resurfacing work takes place
An update from National Highways: East states: "Lane 2 and 3 are now open past the scene on the #M25 clockwise between J25 and J26 #HolmesdaleTunnel. "Lanes 1 remains closed as resurfacing is required. There are 9 miles congestion on approach causing 60 min delays - back to J23 #SouthMimms."
15:06Sam Elliott-GibbsNational Highways update
National Highways has provided an update as another lane reopens.
"Lane 3 has reopened past the scene on the M25 clockwise between J25 and J26 HolmesdaleTunnel," they posted. "Lanes 1 and 2 remain closed as resurfacing is required in lane 1. There are 6 miles congestion on approach causing over 60 min delays on approach."
14:33Sam Elliott-GibbsLondon Fire Brigade issues statement
The two people injured in this morning's lorry crash were men, the London Fire Brigade confirmed. .
"Firefighters were called to reports of a road traffic collision on the M25, between junctions 25 and 26. "The collision involved two lorries and crews carried out operations to make the scene safe. Two men were treated on scene by paramedics and removed to hospital.
"The Brigade was first called about the incident at 0833, with firefighters from Enfield and Edmonton fire stations attending the scene. The incident was over for crews by 0942."
13:58KEY EVENTDelays 'until 4.30pm'
The travel misery will continue until 4.30pm, National Highways predicts. Severe delays are expected on the M25 clockwise between junctions J25 and J26 for another two-and-a-half hours this afternoon.
The travel agency is reporting six miles of congestion, tailing back to junction 24, at Potters Bar.
13:50Sam Elliott-GibbsStill a two-hour delay, drivers told
One lane has reopened on the M25 clockwise following this morning's lorry crash - however, lanes 1, 2 and 3 past the scene and the entry slip road at J25 remain closed for recovery. National Highways confirmed there are currently two hour delays above normal travel time, with 10 miles of congestion leading back past J24.
12:06KEY EVENTTwo people rushed to hospital
The London Ambulance Service confirmed two people were taken to hospital - one as a "priority". It read: "We were called at 8.33am today (29 October) to reports of a road traffic collision on the M25, Waltham Cross.
"We sent an ambulance crew and an incident response officer to the scene. "We treated two people and took one patient to hospital as a priority. The other patient was taken to hospital by East Anglian Air Ambulance."
11:30Sam Elliott-GibbsFive-mile tailbacks
Traffic is not easing, despite lanes re-opening.
Pictures from the scene show the standstill after speed limits of 40mph were put in place. National Highways' latest update read: "There are approx.
5 miles congestion in both directions."
Traffic is still at a standstill11:08Sam Elliott-Gibbs
Motorists warned over long delays
National Highways is reporting delays of 90 minutes following the second incident. A diversion route has been put in place to avoid the M25 as police investigate at the scene.
10:51KEY EVENTNew serious incident brings further chaos
Another serious incident on the clockwise carriageway of the M25 between junctions 25 and 26 has brought further issues.
An air ambulance is on the scene after a collision involving a lorry. National Highways said the road will remain closed for several hours while police investigate the collision. There are currently 90 minute delays above normal travel time with six miles of congestion.
An air ambulance is on the scene at the M25 incident09:45Sam Elliott-Gibbs
The areas impacted
This map shows the incredibly slow moving traffic on the M25.
All lanes have now reopened but long delays are expected. Traffic had been stopped on the anti-clockwise carriageway between junction 29, at Romford, and junction 28, at Brentwood.
There was an eight-mile traffic tailback just before 9am09:13Sam Elliott-Gibbs
Long delays still expected
Commuters' nightmare trips are not over with delays of around 80 minutes still expected. The long hold ups come following a vehicle collision and fire.
Although all lanes have reopened, traffic on the anti-clock carriageway remains at a standstill. The tailbacks stretch back to Lakeside shopping centre.
09:00Sam Elliott-GibbsInjuries remain unclear
It's thought this morning's collision happened at around 6.20am. Emergency services were called to the scene, but it is currently unknown if anyone has been injured.
Traffic was halted on the stretch of the M25 while an oil spill was cleared from lanes two, three and four.
It's not clear if anyone was injured (National Highways)08:44Sam Elliott-Gibbs
All lanes have reopened
Traffic is starting to flow again on the anti-clockwise carriageway. All lanes have been reopened after three were closed following an oil spillage. However, drivers are warned to expect still delays of more than 80 minutes during the rush hour.
Motorists are continuing to be advised to allow extra travel time - or to seek alternative routes.
08:37Sam Elliott-GibbsHow long are the tailbacks?
Motorists are being warned of eight miles of congestion after the issues in Essex. Traffic had been stopped on the anti-clockwise carriageway between junction 29, at Romford, and junction 28, at Brentwood. There are several eight miles of tailbacks, which stretch back to Lakeside shopping centre.
08:33Sam Elliott-GibbsWhat caused the delay?
The long delay comes following a vehicle collision and fire.
Emergency services attended just before 7am this morning.
Rush hour traffic has been backed up (National Highways)08:20Sam Elliott-Gibbs
National Highways latest announcement
National Highways said in their latest update: "All lanes have reopened on the #M25 anti-clockwise between J29 (#Romford) and J28 (#Brentwood) following an earlier collision and vehicle fire.
"There are approx.
8 miles congestion following this incident causing over 80 min delays.
"Please allow time for these delays to clear."