M25 crash LIVE: Drivers face rush hour chaos on major UK motorway as queues stretch for miles

Drivers are dealing with pre-weekend rushhour chaos following a crash this afternoon on one of Britain's busiest motorways. One lane has been closed clockwise on the M25[1] between junctions J19 and J20 and things may not recover until around 6pm. Emergency services[2] remain on the scene. National Highways said drivers could expect 50-minute delays in the area.

Normal traffic conditions, they said, were expected between 5.30pm and 5.45pm. One lane out of four remained shut.

17:22KEY EVENT

All lanes have re-opened

All lanes have re-opened on the M25 clockwise between J19 and J20 following the crash earlier today. "Traffic has now been released on the M25 clockwise in Hertfordshire between J19 (Watford) and J20.

"Lane 4 remains closed, pending recovery of the vehicles involved in the collision."

17:10Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Vehicles still not removed

The vehicles involved in the crash have yet to be removed. Lane four remains closed between J20 and J19 "pending recovery of the vehicles involved in the collision", National Highways said.

Traffic has been STOPPED on the #M25[3] clockwise in #Hertfordshire[4] between J19 (#Watford[5]) and J20 due to a collision. Our Traffic Officers are on scene and recovery has been arranged.

There's already 5 miles of congestion on approach. Updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/odV3zVXIUu[6]

-- National Highways: East (@HighwaysEAST) February 13, 2026[7]16:57Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Problems reported elsewhere

The J19-J20 tailbacks aren't the only issue tonight on the M25. There is also congestion on the clockwise between J10 and J11, with National Highways reporting delays of 40 minutes against expected traffic.

Normal traffic conditions are expected between 4.45pm and 5pm.

16:51KEY EVENT

National Highways update

National Highways confirmed that the lane will remain closed "pending recovery of the vehicles involved in the collision." Emergency services are currently at the scene. The right-hand lane is currently closed on the M25 clockwise between J19 and J20 following the crash.

16:42Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Congestion for five miles

National Highways has confirmed that there are now hour-long delays and five miles of congestion stretching from J20.

Traffic is building from J20 all the way back to J16 following the crash between J19 and J20, National Highways said.

Between J16 and J20, there are currently delays of 40 minutes against expected traffic.

References

1. ^ on the M25 (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ Emergency services (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ #M25 (twitter.com)
4. ^ #Hertfordshire (twitter.com)
5. ^ #Watford (twitter.com)
6. ^ pic.twitter.com/odV3zVXIUu (t.co)
7. ^ February 13, 2026 (twitter.com)