M25 in Essex closed after lorry carrying flammable liquid crashes and overturns
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.
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.
The #M25 is CLOSED anti-clockwise btwn J27 (#M11) and J25 #WalthamCross #Cheshunt to allow recovery of a lorry from down the embankment. @ECFRS on scene. Diversion: https://t.co/d5aShBGevP Severe delays remain on the approach to the closure. Please allow extra time. pic.twitter.com/5BQR0k7YR3
— Highways England (@HighwaysSEAST) August 22, 2018
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.