Motorists are facing significant disruption on the M25 this afternoon as emergency services battle a major vehicle fire that has brought traffic to a standstill between Junction 8 and Junction 9 in Surrey.
National Highways South East has confirmed that traffic on Britain’s busiest motorway was completely halted on the clockwise carriageway as Surrey Fire and Rescue Service rushed to tackle the blaze. The incident, occurring between Reigate and Leatherhead, has sparked warnings of “delays building rapidly” during the busy afternoon period.
Two of four lanes remain closed as police escort vehicles past the scene, with emergency crews still working to bring the situation under control. Drivers are being warned to expect delays of at least 30 minutes on approach to the incident.
Emergency Response Underway
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service teams are currently at the scene working to extinguish the vehicle fire, which erupted on the clockwise carriageway this afternoon. The severity of the blaze initially required all traffic to be stopped whilst firefighters tackled the flames.
National Highways stated that once the fire is brought under control, officers will look to allow traffic to run past the scene using two lanes. The remaining lanes will stay closed whilst recovery operations and clean-up work takes place.
Police units are currently escorting vehicles past the incident site, managing traffic flow through the reduced lanes as emergency services continue their work. The coordinated response involves multiple fire appliances and highways officers working to clear the scene as quickly as possible.
Traffic monitoring systems show congestion building rapidly on approach, with queues extending back several miles from the incident location. The knock-on effects are being felt across the surrounding road network as drivers seek alternative routes.
Delays Expected Until Evening
Current forecasts from National Highways indicate the incident is expected to clear between 4:45pm and 5:00pm, though officials have warned this timeframe could change depending on the complexity of the recovery operation.
Motorists are being advised that normal traffic conditions will take considerably longer to return even after the carriageway fully reopens. The backlog of vehicles and residual congestion typically persists well beyond the initial incident clearance.
The timing of the fire, occurring during the afternoon period when traffic volumes begin to increase ahead of the evening rush hour, has compounded the disruption. Commuters planning to use this section of the M25 are being urged to allow significant extra time for their journeys.
Traffic maps from National Highways show extensive red zones indicating slow-moving or stationary traffic extending back from the incident site. The visual data underscores the scale of disruption affecting thousands of motorists.
M25 Fire Incident History
This stretch of the M25 between Reigate and Leatherhead has witnessed several vehicle fires in recent years, causing similar levels of disruption to the orbital motorway. The location, near the junction with the M23, represents a crucial interchange for traffic heading to and from Gatwick Airport and the south coast.
Previous incidents on this section have highlighted the vulnerability of the motorway network to such emergencies. With limited diversion routes available and the sheer volume of traffic using the M25 daily, even relatively minor incidents can trigger significant delays.
The clockwise carriageway between Junction 8 and 9 carries tens of thousands of vehicles daily, serving as a vital link for commercial traffic, commuters, and airport passengers. Any disruption to this section creates ripple effects across Surrey’s road network.
Safety experts note that vehicle fires, whilst dramatic, remain relatively rare on the motorway network. However, when they do occur, the impact on traffic flow can be severe due to the safety protocols required for emergency response.
Driver Advice and Alternative Routes
Highways officials are advising motorists to check traffic conditions before setting out and to consider alternative routes where possible. Those already caught in the queues are being urged to remain patient and follow instructions from police officers managing the scene.
Drivers approaching the area from Junction 7 near the M23 interchange are experiencing the worst of the delays, with traffic crawling at significantly reduced speeds. The anticlockwise carriageway is also experiencing some slowdown due to drivers reducing speed to observe the incident.
Local roads through Reigate and Leatherhead are likely to experience increased traffic volumes as drivers attempt to bypass the motorway closure. Authorities are warning that these routes may also become congested as the afternoon progresses.
For those unable to avoid the area, National Highways recommends keeping windows closed when passing the incident site due to potential smoke from the vehicle fire. Drivers should also remain alert for emergency vehicles still accessing the scene.
Impact on Surrounding Areas
The disruption is having knock-on effects across Surrey’s transport network, with increased traffic reported on the A217 through Reigate and the A24 through Leatherhead as drivers seek alternative routes around the closure.
Local businesses near the affected junctions are reporting increased traffic on surrounding roads as motorists leave the motorway to avoid the queues. Petrol stations and service areas near Junction 8 and 9 are experiencing higher than normal demand.
The incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of the road network, where a single vehicle fire can impact thousands of journeys. The M25, often referred to as Britain’s largest car park due to its frequent congestion, remains particularly vulnerable to such disruptions.
Emergency services regularly train for such incidents on the motorway network, but the challenge of managing traffic whilst ensuring the safety of firefighters and recovery crews remains complex. The priority always remains the safe resolution of the immediate emergency.
What Happens Next
As emergency services continue their work, drivers are being advised to monitor traffic updates and allow extra time for journeys using this section of the M25 throughout the remainder of the afternoon and into the evening period.
National Highways engineers will need to inspect the carriageway surface once the vehicle is removed to ensure no damage has been caused by the fire. Any required repairs could extend the closure period beyond current estimates.
Recovery vehicles are standing by to remove the burnt-out vehicle once it has cooled sufficiently and been declared safe by fire crews. This process can take considerable time depending on the severity of the fire and type of vehicle involved.
Traffic flow patterns suggest the congestion will persist well into the evening rush hour, potentially affecting journeys until after 7pm. Motorists planning to use this route should check for updates before travelling and be prepared for continued delays.
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