A key road through Orpington has been shut this morning as emergency crews respond to an incident.
Sevenoaks Road, the A223, is closed to traffic in both directions while police, fire and ambulance teams deal with the scene. Drivers have been urged to avoid the area, with delays expected on surrounding routes throughout the morning.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Live updates
11.12am: The bus diversions around the closure have now been confirmed. Routes 358, 684, R5, R7, R8, R10 and R11 are all diverting while Sevenoaks Road stays shut, so bus passengers should allow extra time and check live information before setting out.
11.10am: Traffic remains very heavy in the area around the closure. Drivers are urged to keep avoiding Sevenoaks Road and the surrounding streets while the emergency services deal with the incident.
9.50am: The extent of this closure is becoming clearer. According to traffic information, Sevenoaks Road is closed both ways between The Avenue/Park Avenue and the A232 Station Road, at the Orpington War Memorial junction. Bus routes 358, 684, R5, R7, R8, R10 and R11 are understood to be diverting around the closure. We will keep this page updated as more details come in.
9.30am: Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the emergency services incident on Sevenoaks Road in Orpington. The A223 remains shut while crews deal with the incident, and we will bring you the latest developments here as the morning goes on.
8.32am: The closure was first reported at around half past eight this morning. Sevenoaks Road has been closed in both directions while the emergency services attend the scene. The exact nature of the incident has not yet been confirmed, and it is not known how long the road will stay shut.
What we know so far
- Sevenoaks Road, the A223, is closed to traffic in Orpington
- Emergency services are attending an incident at the scene
- The closure was first reported at about 8.32am on Thursday, October 1
- Drivers are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes
Where is Sevenoaks Road?
Sevenoaks Road is one of the main routes running through Orpington in the London Borough of Bromley, in south-east London. The A223 is a busy thoroughfare used by thousands of motorists each day, linking the town centre with residential neighbourhoods and the surrounding area.
The road is lined with homes, local shops and businesses, and a closure during the morning rush hour is likely to cause significant disruption for commuters and school-run traffic alike.
Traffic disruption expected
Motorists travelling through Orpington this morning are being urged to plan ahead, allow extra time and follow signed diversions. Traffic is expected to build on neighbouring roads as drivers look for alternative routes around the closure.
Bus passengers could also face disruption, with services that would normally run along Sevenoaks Road potentially subject to diversions or delays. Travellers are advised to check live departure information and allow more time for their journeys.
It is not the first time drivers in this part of south-east London have faced disruption. Sevenoaks Way was blocked near Orpington after a crash which left traffic queuing and buses diverted.
Emergency crews at the scene
Police, fire and ambulance crews are understood to be in attendance. Few details have been released so far, and officers have yet to confirm what led to the closure.
A further update is expected from the emergency services in due course. This live blog will be updated as soon as new information comes in.
Elsewhere in the borough, a road in Hayes was closed after a crash which saw buses diverted around Judge Heath Lane.
Advice for drivers
- Avoid Sevenoaks Road and surrounding streets where possible
- Follow diversions and any instructions from officers at the scene
- Allow plenty of extra time if you are travelling through Orpington
- Check public transport updates before you set off
- Consider delaying non-essential journeys until the road reopens
When will the road reopen?
It is not yet known when Sevenoaks Road will reopen. The closure will remain in place while emergency services complete their work at the scene, and drivers should expect the disruption to continue for some time.
Road closures do not always turn out to be as serious as first feared. A recent incident at St Pancras was confirmed by police to be a false alarm after the road was shut.
We will continue to follow this story throughout the morning. Keep this page refreshed for the latest updates as they happen.
