M3 Surrey closure LIVE: Traffic at standstill on major motorway after two lorries crash

Long traffic queues are building on a busy motorway after a serious collision involving two lorries. The M3 eastbound in Surrey is closed[1] between J3 Bagshot Interchange and J2 Thorpe Interchange on Thursday, March 19. Traffic has been brought to a standstill[2]. One of the lorries has struck a gantry following the collision[3], while the other has sustained a ruptured fuel tank, resulting in a substantial spillage of diesel across the carriageway.

National Highways said Surrey Police, Surrey Fire and Rescue, South East Coast Ambulance Service and its traffic officers and contractors are on scene.

07:06Tannur Anders

National Highways says 'plan ahead'

"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," National Highways said.

06:53Peter Hennessy

Breaking: Statement from fire service

A spokesperson for Surrey Fire and Rescue said: "We received a call at 4am to a road traffic collision on the M3 between junction 3 (Lightwater) and Junction 2 (Thorpe) - as you go onto the M25. "We have four fire engines in attendance.

As a result the eastbound carriageways are closed. This is causing significant delays and traffic - we are expecting closures to be in place for some time due to debris. "Please avoid the M3 eastbound until further notice.

Both drivers are out of the vehicles and are being checked over by health partner colleagues."

06:40Peter Hennessy

Long queues for drivers

Motorway cameras show the extent of the problems on the M3 this morning - after a serious lorry crash and fuel spill closed the road.

Another view of the queues on the M3 in Surrey05:59KEY EVENT

Delays of 30 minutes expected

National Highways said delays of 30 minutes are expected.

05:59Tannur Anders

Diversion route issued

National Highways has advised road users to follow the route marked with a solid diamond symbol on road signs:

• Leave the M3 at Junction 3 northbound off slip
• At the roundabout, use the first exit and join the A322 Bracknell Road
• Continue for approximately 0.5 mile and pass beneath the A30
• Just beyond, join the slip road to the A30 London Road and merge with the main carriageway
• Turn left onto the A30 and follow for approximately 8 miles through Sunningdale and continue to Egham
• At the A30 Egham Bypass roundabout, use the second exit and follow the A30 to J13 of the M25
• At the J13 roundabout take the fourth exit to join the M25 anti-clockwise
• Continue to J12 and bear left to re-join the M3 eastbound

05:59Tannur Anders

Earliest information on the incident

The following information is known about the incident:

• Long traffic queues are building on a busy motorway through Surrey on Thursday, March 19
• The M3 eastbound in Surrey is closed between J3 Bagshot Interchange and J2 Thorpe Interchange
• The road is closed after collision involving two lorries
• One of the lorries has struck a gantry following the collision
• The other lorry has sustained a ruptured fuel tank, resulting in a substantial spillage of diesel across the carriageway
• Surrey Police, Surrey Fire and Rescue, South East Coast Ambulance Service, Natioanl Highways traffic officers and contractors are on scene

References

1. ^ is closed (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ Traffic has been brought to a standstill (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ following the collision (www.mirror.co.uk)