Overturned Vehicle Shuts Down M11 And Causes Gridlock

Early Wednesday morning, the M11 motorway in Essex, a vital artery for commuters and travelers to Stansted Airport, was brought to a grinding halt after a serious collision left a vehicle overturned on its roof. The incident, which occurred at approximately 12:50 am on February 4, 2026, near Junction 7 (Harlow) and Junction 6 (M25 Interchange), resulted in the complete closure of all southbound lanes and a cascade of traffic delays stretching for miles.

According to BBC, emergency services rushed to the scene after the vehicle involved "came to rest on its roof on the verge adjacent to the carriageway." The severity of the crash prompted swift action from police, paramedics, and National Highways Traffic Officers, who worked together to secure the area and manage the burgeoning congestion.

National Highways, which oversees the UK’s major roads, issued several urgent updates throughout the night and into the morning. In a statement shared with motorists and the public, a spokesperson explained, "The M11 in Essex is closed southbound between J7 (Harlow) and J6 (M25 Interchange) following a serious collision which occurred at 12.50am this morning. The collision involves a vehicle which has overturned and has come to rest on its roof on the verge adjacent to the carriageway. Emergency services are in attendance. National Highways Traffic Officers are also in attendance assisting with traffic management. Plans are being made to release traffic caught within the closure."

For those caught in the closure, the wait was both frustrating and uncertain. National Highways confirmed that all traffic trapped within the affected stretch of motorway was eventually released, but not before some drivers experienced delays of up to one hour. Motorway cameras captured the extent of the disruption, with long queues of vehicles backed up near the Stansted Airport junction—an area already notorious for heavy traffic during peak travel times.

Express reported that the closure’s impact was particularly acute for those heading to the airport. With the entire southbound carriageway shut between Junctions 7 and 6, travelers faced the prospect of missed flights and disrupted plans. National Highways urged motorists to "plan ahead" and consider alternative routes or even delay their journeys. "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey," the agency advised. The advice was echoed on social media, where National Highways East warned of "delays in excess of 45 minutes on the M11 southbound on approach to the closure," and noted congestion stretching for about three miles at one point, and up to four miles (6.4 km) according to BBC.

As the morning rush hour approached, the situation remained fluid. National Highways cautioned that the closure was likely to remain in place for several hours to allow for a thorough police investigation. This meant that normal traffic conditions were not expected to resume until between 6:30 am and 6:45 am, as stated in multiple updates. The extended closure forced many to rethink their morning commutes, with some opting for lengthy detours and others choosing to wait out the gridlock.

To help mitigate the chaos, National Highways issued a detailed diversion route, instructing drivers to follow the solid circle diversion symbol on road signs. The route directed southbound motorists to exit the M11 at Junction 7 onto Hastingwood Interchange, take the third exit at the roundabout onto the A414 London Road toward Harlow, continue for 10.5 miles to the A10 interchange, then take the first exit onto the A10 southbound, proceed for seven miles to the M25 interchange, and finally rejoin the M11 southbound at Junction 6. While comprehensive, the diversion added significant time and distance to journeys already thrown into disarray.

Throughout the ordeal, communication from authorities was frequent and clear. National Highways provided regular updates across various platforms, including social media, urging patience and cooperation as emergency services worked to clear the scene and conduct their investigation. "@EssexPoliceUK continue their investigation work and the M11 southbound remains closed between J7 (Harlow) and J6 (M25) following the single vehicle collision. There are delays of up to 1 hour on approach," the agency reported in one such update, as cited by Express.

For those monitoring the situation from afar, the images told their own story. Photographs from motorway cameras and news outlets showed a sea of stationary vehicles, with flashing lights from emergency responders illuminating the early morning darkness. The overturned vehicle, described by National Highways as having "come to rest on its roof on the verge adjacent to the carriageway," was a stark reminder of the unpredictable hazards that can arise on even the most familiar stretches of road.

While the immediate focus was on managing the traffic chaos and ensuring the safety of all involved, the incident also reignited ongoing discussions about motorway safety and the challenges of responding to major collisions. The rapid deployment of emergency services and traffic officers demonstrated the importance of coordinated response efforts, especially on routes as critical as the M11. For regular commuters and airport travelers alike, the event served as a sobering reminder to stay vigilant and prepared for the unexpected.

By mid-morning, as police completed their investigation and the process of reopening the motorway began, National Highways reassured the public that normal traffic conditions were imminent. Yet, the ripple effects of the closure were likely to be felt throughout the day, with residual congestion and delays impacting surrounding roads and communities.

In the aftermath, authorities urged drivers to continue exercising caution and patience, especially as weather and winter road conditions can exacerbate the risks of travel. The incident on the M11, while resolved without further escalation, underscored the delicate balance between mobility and safety on the UK’s busiest motorways.

As the M11 returned to its usual rhythm, the lessons of the morning’s disruption lingered. For many, it was a day marked by inconvenience and anxiety. For others, it was a testament to the swift action of emergency responders and the resilience of the traveling public. Either way, the events of February 4, 2026, will not soon be forgotten by those caught in the jam or those working tirelessly to restore order to one of Essex’s most important roads.