M25 in Essex closed after lorry carrying flammable liquid crashes and overturns

Andy Wells
·Freelance Writer
<em>Drivers have been warned of delays on the M25 in Essex after a lorry crashed into an electricity box (Highways England)</em>
Drivers have been warned of delays on the M25 in Essex after a lorry crashed into an electricity box (Highways England)

Drivers on the M25 in Essex have been warned to expect severe delays this morning after a lorry crashed and overturned.

The HGV crashed through a safety barrier between junctions 26 and 25 on Tuesday evening before rolling down an embankment.

More than 25,000 litres of flammable liquid were spilt following the crash, which has now been made safe.

<em>Highways England are hoping to have the lorry removed before the evening rush hour (Highways England)</em>
Highways England are hoping to have the lorry removed before the evening rush hour (Highways England)
<em>The HGV is loaded with flammable liquid (Highways England)</em>
The HGV is loaded with flammable liquid (Highways England)

However, due to the complex nature of the recovery process, it was decided that the lorry should be left where it was overnight.

Some drivers have attempted to get past the traffic by using the hard shoulder between junctions 28 and 27.

Essex Police tweeted: ‘We are aware drivers are using the hard shoulder between junctions 28 and 27.

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‘Please do not do this, hard shoulders are only for use in emergencies and breakdowns and action will be taken against anyone using them inappropriately.’

Work has now begun on removing the HGV, causing lanes one and two of the anticlockwise stretch of the motorway to be closed at the scene.

Rush hour drivers were faced with the closure as they battled to get to work, with the recovery expected to last until late morning at the earliest.

<em>The motorway will be fully reopened once the lorry has been removed (Highways England)</em>
The motorway will be fully reopened once the lorry has been removed (Highways England)

Once the lorry has been removed, the M25 will be fully reopened – with hopes that it will be completed by the time of the evening rush hour.

Drivers will be diverted off at junction 27 to take the M11 southbound, then the A406 North Circular Road, and then the A10 to re-join the M25 at junction 25.