M25 Shutdown Sparks Chaos After Multi-Car Smash Near Dartford Tunnel
Major Closure Causes Gridlock in Essex
A huge chunk of the M25’s anticlockwise carriageway is shut near the Dartford Tunnel following a serious multi-vehicle crash this morning. The section between Junction 30 (Thurrock) and Junction 29 (Upminster) is completely closed, leaving Essex drivers stuck in heavy traffic.
Emergency Services Swarm Scene
Essex Police, paramedics, and National Highways Traffic Officers rushed to the crash site early Tuesday. The exact number of vehicles involved and the severity of injuries remain unknown.
“The M25 in Essex is closed anti-clockwise between J30 (Thurrock) and J29 (Upminster) due to a multi-vehicle collision. All emergency services, including Essex Police, are in attendance. National Highways Traffic Officers are also on scene providing assistance with traffic management,” a National Highways England spokesperson said.
Drivers Warned to Avoid the Area
Motorists are urged to steer clear of the stretch to avoid misery on the roads. Significant delays are expected all day, with local routes also snarled up.
“If this closure impacts your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead – you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey,” the spokesperson added.
Diversions Cause Knock-On Traffic Jams
Alternative routes along the A13, A127, and local roads through Thurrock and Upminster are already packed. Drivers can get live traffic updates on the National Highways website, travel apps, and via the official X (formerly Twitter) feed. For immediate assistance, the 24/7 National Highways contact centre is available on 0300 123 5000.
This latest crash is the latest in a string of gridlocks on vital commuter routes across the southeast, raising fresh concerns over road safety and emergency response times during peak travel periods.
Stay tuned for updates as more information comes in.
