Huge car fire brings M25 to a halt sparking hour-long delays & 6-mile queues on Britain’s busiest motorway
THE M25 ground to a halt after a car suddenly burst into flames, sparking hour-long delays and six-mile queues.
Two anti-clockwise lanes were closed between junction 9 (Leatherhead) and J8 (Reigate) following the blaze in Surrey.
Drivers were initially warned of delays lasting nearly an hour.
All lanes have since reopened -but motorists still faced gruelling standstills of half an hour.
Queues were reportedly winding back six miles from the accident.
In an initial statement posted to X, National Highways said: "Two lanes (of 4) are closed on the #M25 anti-clockwise in #Surrey between J9 (#Leatherhead) and J8 (#Reigate) due to a vehicle fire.
"Emergency services are on scene.
"There's a 55-minute delay on approach with nearly 6 miles of congestion."
In a further update, posted just before 2pm, it added: "This incident is now clear, and all lanes have re-opened on the #M25 anti-clockwise in #Surrey between J9 (#Leatherhead) and J8 (#Reigate).
"A 30-minute delay remains in the area but should now start to ease.
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"Thanks for your patience this afternoon."
In the latest update this evening National Highways confirmed there are now no longer delays on the busy motorway anticlockwise between junctions J9 (Leatherhead) and J8 (Reigate).
All lanes re-opened and congestion has now eased with traffic flowing freely.
