A serious collision on the M11 motorway has triggered severe traffic chaos and delays of up to two hours for drivers in Essex, particularly affecting routes to a major UK airport.
Severe Disruption on Key Motorway Link
The incident occurred on Saturday, 20th December 2025, on a busy section of the motorway. National Highways confirmed that severe delays are impacting the M11 in Essex between junction 10 for Royston and junction 8 for Stansted. Emergency services, including Essex Police and National Highways traffic officers, are currently at the scene managing the situation.
To allow for recovery and investigation work, lanes one and two have been closed. All traffic is being funnelled into lane three, creating a significant bottleneck. The disruption is causing major problems for motorists, especially those travelling to or from Stansted Airport during the busy pre-Christmas period.
Drivers Faced with Lengthy Delays and Urged to Reroute
Drivers caught in the aftermath are facing extensive hold-ups. Delays have reached up to two hours on the affected stretch, with long queues forming in both directions. National Highways has issued urgent advice to anyone planning to use the motorway.
Motorists are being strongly urged to allow a considerable amount of extra time for their journeys if travel is essential. Authorities are also advising drivers to plan ahead, consider re-routing their journey, or even delaying their travel if possible to avoid the congested area entirely.
Ongoing Response and Travel Advice
The emergency response remains active as crews work to clear the scene. While the exact nature of the collision has not been detailed in initial reports, the impact on traffic flow is described as major. Travel chaos is expected to continue for several hours while recovery operations are completed.
Real-time traffic monitoring systems show stationary and slow-moving vehicles along the corridor. Drivers are reminded to check live traffic updates before setting off and to follow official guidance from National Highways and local police. The advice for the immediate future remains clear: avoid the area if you can, expect long delays if you cannot, and prioritise safety on alternative routes.
