If you are planning to travel on the M25 this morning, you might want to rethink your route or prepare for a frustrating start to your day. Commuters are currently facing significant disruption following a major lorry fire that has broken out between Junction 26 at Waltham Abbey and Junction 27 near Epping. Emergency responders, including Essex Police and teams from National Highways, are currently on-site working to manage the blaze and secure the area, but the incident has effectively brought traffic to a standstill in both directions.
The situation is particularly complex because this is not the only incident affecting the motorway today. In addition to the primary fire, there is a secondary incident currently causing further issues for drivers traveling anti-clockwise between Junction 28 and Junction 27. These overlapping road closures have cascaded into a difficult situation for morning commuters, causing congestion that currently spans at least a mile. While motorists are experiencing roughly ten minutes of initial delays, authorities are warning that these figures could fluctuate as they continue to tackle the fire and clear the wreckage from the lanes.
Managing a major arterial road like the M25 when a large vehicle catches fire is an incredibly difficult task for emergency services. Beyond the obvious danger of the flames, there are environmental and structural concerns to consider, not to mention the challenge of moving heavy equipment into position while surrounded by hundreds of idling vehicles. National Highways has been quick to provide updates, but they are urging patience as the intensity of the fire makes a quick reopening of the lanes unlikely. If you are currently stuck in the backlog, please make sure to follow the instructions of personnel on the ground and stay safe.
For those who haven’t left the house yet, or who are looking for a way to bypass the chaos, there is a suggested diversion route in place, though it is quite lengthy. Drivers at Junction 28 are being encouraged to exit onto the A12 eastbound, heading toward Junction 15. From there, you will need to transition onto the A414 northbound toward Chelmsford. Once you hit the Widford roundabout, you should take the first exit to head west on the A414, which will eventually lead you to Junction 7 of the M11.
Following that transition, you’ll take the M11 southbound until you reach the junction for the A406, heading westward for roughly six miles until you reach the intersection with the A10. From there, taking the A10 northbound will allow you to eventually rejoin the M25 at Junction 25, safely bypassing the fire-affected section. While this route is far from convenient, it is the safest bet to avoid sitting in gridlock for hours while emergency crews do the heavy lifting required to safely reopen the motorway for general traffic.
We know how frustrating it is to have your morning routine upended by unexpected traffic, and we will be monitoring the situation closely throughout the day to provide any necessary updates. If your commute has been impacted by these closures or if you have witnessed the aftermath of the scene, please feel free to reach out to our news team. In the meantime, please prioritize your safety, stay calm behind the wheel, and ensure you remain up-to-date with the latest travel warnings before you start your engine. We will continue to bring you the latest developments as soon as more information becomes available.
