Drivers on the A13 are facing long queues today after a crash shut lanes on the westbound carriageway, with traffic described as very slow through the affected stretch.
Two lanes are blocked on Ripple Road, which forms part of the A13, between the Goresbrook Interchange and the Lodge Avenue flyover. Lanes two and three, out of three lanes in total, are closed, leaving only one lane open for westbound traffic passing the scene.
The road has been left part-blocked following the reported crash, and motorists are facing disruption while the blockage remains in place. Follow our live updates below for the latest confirmed information as we get it.
What we know so far
A crash has been reported on the A13 and the westbound carriageway is part-blocked on Ripple Road. The closure affects lanes two and three between the Goresbrook Interchange and the Lodge Avenue flyover, which means drivers heading westbound are being funnelled into a single open lane.
Traffic through the area is very slow. That is the position based on the confirmed details available so far, and it is important to separate what is known from what has not yet been confirmed. At this stage, there has been no confirmed information about how many vehicles were involved, what caused the collision, or when the closed lanes will reopen.
Details about any injuries have also not yet been confirmed, and there has been no confirmed information about whether emergency services are in attendance. We will not speculate on either point and will update this story as soon as those details are verified.
Timeline of events so far
- 11.19am – Live coverage began following reports of a crash on the A13 causing disruption for motorists.
- 11.20am – It was confirmed that two lanes were blocked westbound on Ripple Road, between the Goresbrook Interchange and the Lodge Avenue flyover. Lanes two and three of three were shut, with traffic described as very slow.
That short timeline reflects the confirmed sequence so far. This page will continue to run in live format, with the newest updates appearing in the live feed above, so readers can follow the order of events as the situation develops through the day.
Driver impact: queues and what to expect
The immediate impact for drivers is straightforward. With two of the three westbound lanes closed, traffic that would normally spread across the carriageway has to merge into one lane. That sort of restriction quickly leads to queues, and traffic is already described as very slow on the approach to the blocked stretch.
Drivers heading westbound between the Goresbrook Interchange and the Lodge Avenue flyover should expect delays while lanes two and three remain shut. No official diversion route has been confirmed in the information available so far, and no reopening time has been given. We have written that as not yet confirmed rather than guessing at alternative routes or timings that have not been officially stated.
If you are planning to travel through this part of the A13 today, allow extra time for your journey and keep checking this live page before you set off. The picture can change quickly once lanes begin to reopen, but equally a single-lane restriction can keep queues building for some time after the initial report, particularly if traffic continues to arrive at the usual rate into a reduced carriageway.
It has also not yet been confirmed whether the closure is affecting traffic in the opposite direction, or whether any surrounding routes are seeing extra pressure as drivers look for other ways around the problem. Those details will be added here only when they are confirmed.
What has not yet been confirmed
- Whether anyone has been injured – not yet confirmed.
- How many vehicles were involved – not yet confirmed.
- What caused the crash – not yet confirmed.
- Whether emergency services are at the scene – not yet confirmed.
- An official diversion or expected reopening time – not yet confirmed.
London drivers will be familiar with how quickly disruption on a major route can spread. Earlier this week, we reported how A13 lanes were blocked at Rainham after a crash as queues built, and separately how the A13 was blocked into central London after a morning crash near Canning Town. There has also been disruption on a neighbouring major route, where a crash on the A12 near Wanstead caused long delays towards the North Circular.
For now, the advice from the confirmed picture is simple: expect very slow traffic westbound on Ripple Road, allow extra time, and follow the live updates above. As soon as there is verified news on injuries, emergency attendance, diversions or lanes reopening, it will appear in the live feed at the top of this article. If you are stuck in the queues, please do not use a phone while driving and wait until you are safely parked before sending any updates.
