Update — 29 September 2026, 11:26am: The incident on The Ridgeway has now cleared and live coverage of this story has ended. Traffic in the area is returning to normal.
Motorists in north London are facing major disruption this morning after a crash shut The Ridgeway in Mill Hill in both directions.
The B552 is blocked between High Street and The Three Hammers pub following the collision, with traffic described as slow on the approaches and a detour in operation around the scene.
Emergency services are dealing with the incident on the busy route, which runs past several schools in the area. Bus passengers are caught up in the disruption too, with route 240 diverted because of the closure.
The crash was first reported during the morning rush hour, and drivers have been warned to expect delays while the road remains closed.
The incident was reported during the morning peak, with the first traffic alerts issued shortly before 10am. Drivers approaching Mill Hill from surrounding areas should expect delays on the roads feeding into The Ridgeway while the closure remains in place.
What we know so far
Traffic information service the AA reported the road as blocked in both directions on The Ridgeway between High Street and The Three Hammers pub after the Mill Hill Ridgeway crash. Its alert stated: “Road blocked and slow traffic due to crash on B552 The Ridgeway both ways between High Street and The Three Hammers Pub. Detour in operation – Bus Route Affected: 240.”
The road is a key local route through Mill Hill, used by commuters, school traffic and buses. Its closure at the height of the morning peak is expected to cause knock-on delays on surrounding roads as drivers seek alternative routes.
At this stage, details of the vehicles involved and whether anyone was hurt have not been confirmed.
Advice for drivers stuck in the area
If you are heading through Mill Hill this morning, avoid The Ridgeway between High Street and The Three Hammers pub altogether and allow plenty of extra time for your journey.
Bus passengers should check before they travel, as route 240 is on diversion around the closure. Parents on the school run may want to set off earlier or arrange alternative drop-off plans, given that several schools sit close to the affected stretch.
Drivers caught in queues on surrounding roads are urged to stay patient, keep junctions and box markings clear, and give way to emergency vehicles trying to reach or leave the scene. Do not attempt to drive through the closed section — closures are put in place to protect both the public and those responding to the incident.
With buses diverting and traffic queuing, take extra care around larger vehicles in congested streets. Serious collisions involving buses can have grave consequences — TfL was recently prosecuted over a fatal bus crash in Walthamstow, a reminder of why extra caution matters when roads are disrupted.
Before setting off, check live travel updates and consider whether your journey can wait until the road reopens.
Why the Ridgeway closure hits Mill Hill hard
The Ridgeway, designated the B552, is one of Mill Hill’s main east-west arteries, carrying a steady flow of local traffic through the heart of the suburb.
The road serves commuters travelling to and from surrounding neighbourhoods, parents on the school run — several schools lie along or near the route — and public transport, with the 240 among its regular bus services.
Because Mill Hill’s road network offers relatively few parallel alternatives for through traffic, shutting a stretch of the B552 during the morning rush hour quickly sends queues spilling onto neighbouring residential streets.
London’s streets are among the most heavily used — and most heavily enforced — in the country. Recent figures revealed which of the capital’s roads issued the most driving fines in a year, underlining just how much pressure the city’s road network is under.
This is a developing story — check back for updates.
