The A406 North Circular is closed in east London this morning after a crash, with drivers warned of serious delays on the approaches in both directions.
The closure is in place between Chingford Road and Hall Lane, near South Chingford, following what is understood to be a serious collision earlier today. Traffic is building on all approaches, and surrounding local roads are becoming congested as motorists look for alternative routes.
This is a developing story — updates below as we get them, newest first.
9.55am: The closure remains firmly in place between Chingford Road and Hall Lane, with queues continuing to build on the approaches in both directions. Drivers are urged to avoid the area and allow plenty of extra time. We will update this blog as soon as there is any movement.
9.40am: Delays are described as serious on the approach to the closure in both directions. Congestion is spilling onto surrounding local roads around South Chingford and Walthamstow as drivers divert. If you are heading this way, consider postponing non-essential journeys.
9.25am: There is still no indication of when the road will reopen, with clear-up work expected to take some time. It follows a series of recent incidents on the North Circular, including a crash at Henlys Corner that sparked major queues.
9.10am: The incident is understood to have happened earlier this morning near South Chingford and is believed to be a serious crash. Emergency services have been in attendance at the scene.
8.55am: For those unfamiliar with the area, the shut section sits in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, between Chingford Road and Hall Lane. It is a busy commuter corridor, and closures here quickly send traffic backing up across the wider road network.
8.40am: This is not the first time the North Circular has seen major disruption. We have previously covered a collision between a lorry and a car at Drury Way live, with drivers warned of long delays.
8.25am: Welcome to our live blog. We are following reports of a crash on the A406 North Circular in east London this morning, which has closed the road between Chingford Road and Hall Lane. Stay with us for the latest updates as we get them.
What is the North Circular and where is the closure?
The A406, better known as the North Circular, is one of London’s busiest ring roads, carrying traffic around the inner city from Chiswick in the west to Woolwich in the east. It passes through a string of north London boroughs and is a key route for commuters, freight and longer-distance traffic alike.
The section closed today lies in the London Borough of Waltham Forest near South Chingford, a stretch that regularly carries heavy traffic between the Lea Valley and the eastern suburbs. When the North Circular shuts, the effects are felt well beyond the closure itself, as traffic diverts onto local roads never designed to take the strain.
Advice for drivers
If you are heading towards the North Circular in east London this morning, the advice is simple: avoid the area if you can. Allow significantly more time for your journey and check live traffic information before you set off. Queues are building on the approaches in both directions, and nearby roads are also becoming congested.
It is not the first time a road closure near the North Circular has caused long delays for drivers. If your journey is not essential, consider delaying it until the road has reopened, and never attempt to drive through a closed section.
Public transport alternatives
London bus services that use the North Circular corridor through Waltham Forest may be delayed, diverted or curtailed while the closure remains in place. Check live bus arrivals before travelling and allow extra time. Depending on your journey, London Overground or Underground services may offer an alternative — check your route before you travel.
