Two separate crashes on the M25 caused severe congestion and long delays on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
The incidents occurred near the Dartford Crossing and Godstone, affecting traffic across Surrey and Kent.
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Emergency services responded to a multi-vehicle collision on the clockwise carriageway between Junction 1a and Junction 1b near the QEII Dartford Crossing.
Three heavy goods vehicles were involved, forcing the closure of Lane 1 of 4 for recovery operations.
Traffic queues built up rapidly along the approaches to the crossing. Transport authorities advised motorists to expect extended travel disruptions while cleanup and investigations took place.
Another significant crash happened on the clockwise carriageway near Junction 6 in Godstone.
A car and a motorbike collided, and emergency crews took a motorcyclist and a pillion passenger to the hospital.
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The Godstone crash caused a fuel spillage, leading to temporary total traffic holds between Junction 6 and Junction 7 at the M23 interchange.
Six miles of congestion built up toward Clacket Lane Services, with secondary queues extending along the A22 toward Caterham.
The opposite anticlockwise carriageway experienced ten-mile delays stretching back to Junction 9 at Leatherhead. Rubbernecking drivers and an earlier vehicle breakdown on the northbound M23 compounded the gridlock.
National Highways confirmed that all lanes eventually reopened following initial holds. However, single-lane closures remained active at Junction 6 for clear-up and vehicle recovery.
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Transport monitoring agencies advised drivers to seek alternative routes to avoid lingering delays.
