Drivers have been warned of serious delays on the M25 in Essex between Junction 28 (Brentwood) and Junction 27 (M11) following a collision involving two lorries.
The incident has now caused more than an hour of delays this afternoon, with traffic operating at 7mph, causing disruptions to drivers.
Emergency services are currently at the scene and have warned drivers the closure could last for several hours while the situation is made safe.
Essex Police, National Highways Traffic Officers and UK Power Networks engineers are all working to clear the incident.
The crash, which happened on the anti‑clockwise carriageway, not only caused extensive barrier damage but also brought down a power line, with 14 nearby homes in the Brentwood area left without electricity.
Drivers have been urged to follow the diversion in place. But due to the closure of Gallows Corner, the usual diversion route is unavailable.
National Highways has advised drivers to follow an extended route. Anti-clockwise traffic should leave the M25 at Junction 28 and take the A12 northbound towards Chelmsford for approximately 12 miles.
At the A12/A414 junction, drivers should join the A414 westbound for about 15 miles before joining the M11 southbound at Junction 7. They can then follow the M11 to rejoin the M25 at Junction 27.
The road is expected to be delayed until 10pm today
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS/ ESSEX COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE
A UK Power Networks spokesman said: “A lorry crash brought down an electricity pole and overhead cables onto the M25 near junction 28, at about 11am today.
“Our engineers were on site by 11.25am, and the road is now clear of the cables. Repair work continues, and power will be restored to the 14 nearby properties affected as quickly as is safely possible.”
Essex Police have also urged road users to avoid the area wherever possible. In a post on social media, the force said: “An Essex stretch of the M25 is currently closed while emergency services are dealing with an incident involving a lorry.
“The M25 is closed in both directions just west of the junction with the A12. It will be closed for some time, so please plan your journey to avoid the area.”
The M25 is closed between J28 (Brentwood) and J27 (M11) due to a collision involving two lorries
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Drivers have been warned that traffic could remain at a standstill for hours as recovery and assessment work continues.
Congestion is already reported stretching back towards Junction 29 and beyond, with slow‑moving queues reported on both anticlockwise and clockwise approaches.
National Highways officials warned that the crash has forced the closure of the clockwise carriageway as well, so that UK Power Networks can safely assess and repair the damaged power infrastructure.
A National Highways spokesperson added: “Due to a local closure of Gallows Corner, which would ordinarily be the signposted diversion route for such an event, traffic is advised to follow an extended diversion via the A12, A414 and M11 to re‑join the M25 at J27.”
Drivers have been urged to follow the diversion in place
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
A spokesperson for Essex County Fire and Rescue shared: “Our crews are currently on scene following a road traffic collision. During the collision, power cables were brought down.
“Drivers are asked to remain in their vehicles while we deal with the incident. We thank all motorists for their patience while we work with our colleagues, Essex Police and National Highways East, as we continue to work to make the scene safe.”
National Highways said it expects the road to be cleared between 10pm and 10.15pm later today.
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