Traffic on the M25 was severely affected on Sunday, November 17, 2024, following a serious crash involving both a motorcycle and a car near Heathrow Airport. The accident led to all vehicles being held on the motorway, causing extensive delays throughout the day.
The incident occurred just before 11 AM, prompting urgent responses from emergency services, including the air ambulance, which transported one seriously injured person to St George's Hospital, a major trauma center. According to reports, the crash also caused significant fuel spillage on the road, exacerbated the traffic chaos, and necessitated immediate investigation and cleanup efforts.
Traffic congestion began to build quickly, with queues extending back to Junction 14 as both directions of the M25 were halted between Junction 15 and Junction 16. Initial assessments from traffic data organization, National Highways, noted the severity of the situation around the Thorney Interchange, near Uxbridge, which is known for heavy traffic due to its proximity to the Heathrow terminals.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with emergency vehicles converging on the area shortly after the crash. The highway authority provided updates via social media, stating, "Traffic has been STOPPED... due to a serious collision involving a motorcycle and car. Emergency services including the Air Ambulance are in attendance," which only added to the sense of urgency surrounding the incident.
By noon, the situation had evolved, with the clockwise carriageway remaining closed to facilitate the investigation and the cleanup of the fuel spill. Although the anticlockwise carriageway reopened, motorists faced long delays stretching back beyond Junction 13. Traffic monitoring services suggested delays of nearly 30 minutes, with normal traffic conditions not expected to return until late afternoon.
Throughout the day, traffic management teams set up diversion routes for frustrated motorists. Those traveling clockwise were advised to exit the M25 at Junction 15, then take the M4 toward Slough before rejoining the M25 at Junction 16. This diversion was quickly implemented to alleviate some of the growing congestion as authorities aimed to clear the affected areas.
Reports continued to surface about secondary incidents on the M25 related to the original crash. A separate collision between Junctions 6 and 5 compounded the traffic problems already facing drivers, adding to the multi-vehicle incident reports and leading to even more extensive delays.
Highways England officials provided assurance for motorists traveling toward major sporting events happening later the same day, including the England vs. Ireland football match at Wembley. Fans were cautioned about the potential for delays due to the M25 closures, stressing the need to plan their journeys accordingly.
Thames Valley Police launched their own investigation shortly after the accident, appealing for witnesses. They requested anyone traveling near Junction 15 around 10:45 AM to come forward with information or dashcam footage. Such appeals often serve as valuable lines of inquiry for law enforcement, especially when piecing together the moments leading up to collisions.
By the early evening, the situation showed improvement as emergency crews began to wrap up their operations. The majority of traffic on the M25's anticlockwise lanes was reported to be flowing again, with only sporadic delays remaining as the investigation wrapped up.
Despite the challenges, the reopening of carriageways by Sunday evening gave motorists relief after hours of disruption. It was once again business as usual on what is considered one of the busiest motorways not just in the UK, but across Europe.
