A key road through Ealing has been shut in one direction after emergency services were called to an incident on Monday evening.
Motorists are facing disruption across the area after crews shut the northbound carriageway of the B455, known locally as Bond Street, between Mattock Lane and the A4020 New Broadway.
Details of what happened remain limited at this stage. Police, fire and ambulance teams are understood to be at the scene, and the closure is expected to cause significant knock-on delays on surrounding roads.
What we know so far
The closure affects northbound traffic on the B455 from the junction with Mattock Lane up to the A4020 New Broadway, one of the main routes running through Ealing town centre in west London.
The exact nature of the emergency has not been disclosed, and officers have not indicated when the road is expected to reopen. Drivers are being urged to avoid the area and find alternative routes where possible.
Bond Street forms an important link for drivers heading towards the town centre, and the shutdown is likely to be felt well beyond the closed section as traffic spills onto neighbouring streets.
Closures linked to emergency incidents can last for several hours depending on what crews find at the scene. For now, the northbound carriageway will remain shut to all traffic, with no access for vehicles between the two junctions.
Diversions and delays expected
Motorists travelling north through Ealing are advised to plan a different route and to allow considerably more time for their journeys. Roads around the closure, including approaches to Ealing Broadway, are expected to be busier than usual this evening.
Anyone heading into the area should check live travel updates before setting off and follow any instructions given by officers managing the scene. Bus passengers should also be prepared for delays or short-notice diversions on services that would normally use Bond Street.
Pedestrians in the area may also find pavements and crossings affected if a police cordon is in place. People are asked to keep clear of the closed section and to be patient while the emergency response continues.
A string of emergency closures across London
The Ealing shutdown is the latest in a series of emergency road closures to disrupt the capital in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, an air ambulance was scrambled to a serious crash in Northolt, where police closed the surrounding roads and traffic was brought to a standstill while a casualty was treated at the scene.
In Acton, East Churchfield Road remained closed westbound into a Tuesday morning near Acton Central while officers continued their inquiries following a crash.
And last month, a large-scale emergency response led to a road closure around St Pancras, although police later confirmed the incident had been a false alarm.
What to do if you are travelling tonight
If your journey takes you through Ealing this evening, the advice is straightforward: avoid Bond Street northbound, choose another route, and leave plenty of extra time.
If you are already caught in the congestion, stay with your vehicle where it is safe to do so, keep the radio on for travel bulletins, and do not use a mobile phone behind the wheel.
Do not attempt to drive through cordons or closed sections of road. Emergency crews need space to work safely, and ignoring a closure puts both drivers and responders at risk.
Anyone who was in the area around the time the road was shut, or who has dashcam footage that could help, is encouraged to contact police.
This is a developing story. We will bring you the latest updates as soon as they become available.
