Motorists on the M25 near Merstham faced major delays today after a lorry broke down on the motorway, with traffic building around the stricken vehicle.
The incident was reported on Monday afternoon on the London orbital motorway in Surrey, where the broken-down HGV was causing significant congestion for drivers travelling through the area. Traffic was said to be queuing past the scene of the stricken lorry while recovery work got under way, and delays were expected to continue until the vehicle could be moved.
The M25 is one of the busiest stretches of road in Britain, carrying hundreds of thousands of vehicles around the capital every day. When a large vehicle breaks down on the carriageway, the impact can spread quickly, with queues forming behind the obstruction and journey times rising on surrounding routes as drivers look for alternative ways through.
Drivers heading towards Merstham are being urged to allow extra time for their journeys, check live traffic information before setting off and consider different routes where possible. Incidents involving heavy goods vehicles can take longer to clear than standard breakdowns because of the sheer size of the vehicles and the specialist equipment needed to tow them away safely.
Disruption of this kind is a familiar frustration for M25 users. The motorway has seen a series of serious incidents in recent months, including a lorry fire that closed two lanes near Enfield and a crash at the Swanley Interchange that left drivers facing long delays. Planned engineering work has also hit drivers, with weekend closures affecting links to the M3, M23 and M40.
Merstham sits just off the M25 in Surrey, close to Redhill and Reigate, and the stretch of motorway through the area is a key route for traffic between London, Gatwick Airport and the south coast. Any blockage there can have knock-on effects for commuters, holidaymakers and freight traffic alike, particularly during busy periods.
Anyone caught in the queues is advised to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, remain in their vehicle where it is safe to do so and avoid using the hard shoulder unless directed otherwise by traffic officers or the emergency services. Drivers with urgent journeys should check the latest traffic updates before travelling and allow plenty of extra time.
The disruption comes when the M25 is already under pressure from ongoing roadworks and high traffic volumes. Motorists planning to use the motorway today are advised to check live traffic updates, leave earlier than planned and have an alternative route in mind. Freight operators and delivery drivers heading through Surrey should also factor in extra time, as vehicles already on the network may face knock-on delays.
Here is what we know so far: a broken-down lorry is causing major delays on the M25 near Merstham; traffic is building in the area; and drivers are being urged to check conditions before they travel. Recovery teams will work to move the vehicle as quickly as possible, and we will update this story as the situation develops.
Follow our live blog below for the latest on the M25 lorry breakdown near Merstham, including lane closures, recovery efforts and delays.
