M25 chaos this morning! A massive closure is in place after two lorries crashed on the anti-clockwise M25 between junction 6 (Godstone) and junction 5 (Chevening). One lorry overturned, spilling hazardous waste, diesel, and oil all over the road.
Major Spill Sparks Hours-Long Road Closure
The crash happened in the early hours of Wednesday, 14 May 2025. National Highways confirmed the stretch will stay completely shut through the morning rush hour. With oil, diesel, and hazardous waste leaked onto the carriageway, emergency teams launched a mammoth clean-up and potentially lengthy resurfacing operation.
“Due to the nature of the spill, the road will remain closed until all debris and contaminants are safely cleared. This may take several hours,” a National Highways spokesperson warned.
Severe Delays Hit South East Motorists
Thousands of drivers have been caught up in the disruption, with routes to Heathrow and Gatwick airports, the Port of Dover, and the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone badly affected. By 7am, delays of up to 40 minutes were already reported, with traffic slowly crawling past the incident zone.
- Heathrow and Gatwick airports
- Port of Dover
- Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone
Diversions are in place via local A roads, but congestion is expected to last well into the morning.
Incident Timeline
- 4:14am: National Highways alerted to the crash involving two lorries.
- 7:00am: Delays build to over 40 minutes on approach to the closure.
- Ongoing: Clean-up teams and environmental specialists remain on site tackling hazardous spills and assessing road damage.
Travel Tips: Avoid the Area if You Can
- Steer clear of the affected stretch on the M25.
- Check live traffic updates before travelling.
- Follow official diversion routes and resist the urge to dodge traffic via smaller local roads.
National Highways and emergency services continue to monitor the situation closely. Stay tuned for updates as the clean-up unfolds.
