Motorists on the M25 anticlockwise in Essex are facing severe delays after two of three lanes were closed at Junction 27 for emergency road surface repairs. National Highways reports 11 miles of congestion on approach, with delays exceeding one and a half hours. Drivers have been urged to delay their journeys if possible.
Closure Details and Impact
The closures, first implemented around 8pm on Monday, affect lanes one and two of three within Junction 27, where the M25 meets the M11. The link road from the M11 southbound to the M25 anticlockwise is also closed. National Highways stated that contractors worked overnight but discovered an additional defect this morning, prolonging the closures. No estimated time for reopening has been provided.
A National Highways spokesperson said: "As a result of these works, the link road from the M11 southbound to the M25 anticlockwise at J27 is also closed. If this impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time as there is 11 miles of congestion on approach to the lane closures. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."
Traffic Conditions and Updates
As of 09:09 BST, traffic remained stationary despite earlier expectations that normal conditions would resume between 9am and 9.15am. The agency's live traffic map now suggests normal traffic could return around 10am. CCTV images show long queues of stationary vehicles.
The closures were initially due to an "infrastructure defect" requiring immediate repair, according to National Highways. The link road remained closed overnight as repairs took place.
