Severe disruption is impacting travel across Kent today following a significant fire involving a truck on the M25 motorway. Authorities have closed both directions of the roadway, creating substantial delays for motorists.
The initial closure affects the anti-clockwise carriageway between Junction 6 (Godstone) and Junction 5 (M26). Due to heavy smoke drifting across the road, the clockwise lanes are also now closed as a safety precaution. National Highways confirmed the situation in a statement:
“The fire is expected to take some time to extinguish.”
Emergency services, including Kent Fire Service and National Highways traffic officers, are working diligently at the scene to manage the incident and support the firefighting efforts.
As a result of the motorway closures, several connecting routes have been affected:
- The northbound link road from the A21 to the clockwise M25 is closed.
- Access to the westbound M26 is blocked.
Motorists are strongly advised to avoid the area entirely and allow for significantly extended travel times if they must navigate nearby roads.
Drivers seeking alternative routes are directed to follow designated diversion signage indicated by a Hollow Square symbol. This route leads motorists off the M25 at Junction 6, then:
- Proceed along the A22 towards East Grinstead
- Turn right onto the A25 heading toward Westerham at the A22/A25 roundabout.
- Continue through Limpsfield, Oxted, Westerham, Brasted and Sundridge.
- At the traffic signal junction of the A25 and M25, turn left to rejoin the motorway towards Dartford Crossing.
National Highways is urging travelers to proactively plan their journeys, suggesting potential rerouting or delaying travel altogether.
The agency currently anticipates that normal traffic flow will resume between 3:15 pm and 3:30 pm this afternoon. A recent update from National Highways on X (formerly Twitter) stated:
“The M25 in Kent remains closed anti-clockwise between J6 (Godstone) and J5 (M26) due to a lorry fire. Traffic is also stopped on the M25 clockwise, M26 westbound and A21 northbound. The burning trailer will now be moved off the motorway.”
Further updates will be provided as they become available.
