Traffic on the M25 (Image: NATIONAL HIGHWAYS)
Drivers have been warned of “severe” delays on the M25 following a “multiple vehicle collision”, involving two lorries and a car.
National Highways has urged road users to plan their journey in advance and consider alternative routes where possible, following the incident on the M25 clockwise in Essex between J26 (Waltham Abbey) and J27 (M11).
Traffic is queuing for some seven miles, with delays of up to 90 minutes being recorded.
Fire crews were rushed to the scene and have been working Traffic Officers and contractors assisting with recovery and clean-up work, the organisation said.
THIS IS A LIVE BLOG. FOLLOW OUR UPDATES BELOW
Images from the scene continue to show lengthy queues
Traffic remains at a virtual standstill according to traffic cameras on the M25 near Loughton, Essex.
Traffic appears to be at a crawl (Image: Traffic England)
Fire crews scrambled the scene
A Fire Service spokesperson says: “We were called to a road traffic collision on the M25, junctions 26 to 27, at 12.16pm. A crew from Loughton attended. Two lorries and a car were involved but no-one was trapped. Crews left the scene in the hands of highways officials at 1.16pm.”
‘Severe’ delays as lorry involved in crash cannot be moved
A lorry involved in the crash has an issue meaning its brakes cannot be released.
Authorities on the scene have warned that the tailbacks will be “severe” as a result.
2 lanes (of 3) remain closed on the clockwise between J26 () and J27 () following a collision.Recovering the final HGV is proving complex due to the damage sustained to the vehicle’s air lines and as such the brakes cannot be released.Severe delays.
u2014 National Highways: East (@HighwaysEAST)
Lengthy queues seen on M25 cameras
Queues appearing to be miles long can be seen via the cameras on the M25 around J26 and J27.
Lengthy queues can be seen on the motorway (Image: Traffic England)
Where is the incident?
The incident has taken place on a northern stretch of the M25, on the Essex-Hertfordshire border.
Motorists wishing to use the motorway near Waltham Abbey, or use surrounding roads, should expect disruption.
Junction 26 and Junction 27 on the M25 is severely disrupted (Image: Traffic England)
Welcome to our live blog
Welcome to our live blog. We’ll bring you the latest on the traffic situation on the M25.