Two lorries crashed between Junctions 6 (Godstone) and 5 (Chevening), and one of them was a tanker full of waste—stuff like diesel and industrial fluids. That one flipped over, which not only blocked the road but also caused a big chemical spill all across the lanes.
Emergency services got there quickly—police, firefighters, ambulance, the whole lot. One of the drivers was taken to the hospital, but thankfully, there haven’t been any deaths reported so far. Still, it’s a major mess, and the cleanup is turning into a big deal.
Road Closures, Long Delays, and Huge Traffic Jams
If you were planning to use the M25 today—especially heading anti-clockwise—you might want to rethink that. The part of the motorway where the crash happened is still shut down between Junctions 6 and 5, and it looks like it’s going to stay that way for a while. National Highways said the cleanup is “severe and highly complex,” which pretty much means it’s not going to be quick.
Right now, traffic is being sent off the motorway and onto the A22 and A25, but honestly, that’s just creating more congestion in nearby towns. If you're trying to get to places like Gatwick, Heathrow, or even heading out to Dover or the Eurotunnel, expect big delays. Some drivers were stuck for over an hour and a half. In some cases, police had to literally turn cars around because there was no other way to clear the mess.
Officials are working on resurfacing the road too, since all those spilled chemicals may have damaged the surface. There’s even talk of crews working into the night if that’s what it takes to make it safe again.
Chemical Spill Raises Environmental Worries
One of the bigger concerns right now isn’t just the traffic—it’s the chemicals that spilled during the crash. The tanker was carrying diesel and other liquid waste, and when it tipped over, all of that leaked across the motorway. So now, it’s not just a crash scene—it’s a hazmat situation.
Special teams have been called in to handle the cleanup and check how bad the environmental impact might be. They’re worried about the chemicals seeping into the soil or getting into nearby water sources. Everyone’s being super careful, and they’re not going to reopen the road until they know it’s safe.
A spokesperson from National Highways said, “This is a major incident requiring a lot of people working together. We’re doing everything we can to reopen the motorway but also to protect the environment.” Honestly, it’s the kind of mess that shows how fragile our roads can be when something like this happens.
In Summary:
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A waste tanker overturned on the M25, spilling hazardous materials
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The crash involved two lorries and caused a major road closure
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Emergency crews, including hazmat teams, are still working on cleanup
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Long delays, diversions in place, and big environmental concerns
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No deaths, but one driver was taken to the hospital
So yeah, if you’re anywhere near that stretch of the M25 today (or maybe even tomorrow), it’s probably best to avoid it completely. Stay safe out ther
