M25 Traffic disruption in Essex leaves 14 homes without power after two-lorry crash

The most immediate impact of the incident is on drivers and nearby residents: m25 traffic is being diverted while engineers make live cables safe, and 14 properties were left without power after the collision. Motorists face lane restrictions and long delays on the stretch between junction 28 (Brentwood) and junction 27 (M11) as emergency and utility teams work on a multi-hour clear-up.

M25 Traffic impact: drivers, residents and emergency teams on the frontline

Here’s the part that matters: the crash has not just closed carriageways — it damaged power infrastructure and created a safety cordon that affects both road users and local homes. Drivers were asked to avoid the area, remain in their vehicles when instructed by crews, and take alternative routes while lanes remain closed for several hours. Fourteen properties lost power after an electricity pole and overhead cables were brought down.

What happened (key details embedded)

• A collision between two lorries caused power cables to be brought down; one lorry suffered a tyre blow-out before hitting the reservation.
• The impact damaged an electricity pole and overhead cables; a second lorry sustained windscreen damage.
• No one was seriously injured and no one was hurt in the crash, emergency services confirmed.
• UK Power Networks engineers attended the scene to make the exposed wires safe; the damage was later made safe by the power network.
• The stretch of the M25 affected was between J28 (Brentwood) and J27 (M11), with closures on both carriageways while teams responded.

Micro timeline of road status and response

• Shortly before 11: 00am on Tuesday 24 February a lorry had a tyre blow-out and left the road between J28 and J27 (anticlockwise), colliding with the reservation.
• By 11: 45am the M25 was closed anticlockwise between J28 and J27 while crews attended; power cables had been brought down.
• At 1: 30pm National Highways East announced the M25 was closed in both directions between J28 and J27 because engineers needed to secure the power line.
• By 3: 55pm the clockwise carriage between J27 (M11) and J28 (Brentwood) had reopened.
• At 4: 20pm the anticlockwise between J28 and J27 was reported open, but lanes one and two (of four) remained closed for ongoing clear-up work.

The real test will be how quickly lane closures can be cleared once all power infrastructure checks are complete.

Traffic management, diversions and lane details

Lane-level changes have been staged: lanes 3 and 4 on the anticlockwise carriage were reopened while lanes 1 and 2 remained closed for clean-up. Drivers were asked to avoid the area and follow a diversion routed to central London the A13 westbound. The closure and traffic management on this stretch will be handled by Highways England and are expected to persist for several hours as safety inspections continue. If you are on this corridor expect long delays and altered journeys while m25 traffic is managed around the incident.

Wider disruption and parallel transport issues

At the same time, local rail services were affected by a separate incident: a train struck an obstruction in the Salfords area, blocking the line toward Purley. That blockage left services to, from and through Gatwick at risk of cancellation, delays of up to 40 minutes, or revision, with disruption expected to continue until around 12: 00.

Official response and safety instructions

Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service crews attended the scene alongside National Highways East and UK Power Networks engineers. Fire crews asked motorists to remain in their vehicles while the incident was handled and urged the public to use alternative routes. Emergency services thanked motorists for their patience during the multi-agency response. For non-emergencies, the fire service headquarters is at Kelvedon Park, Rivenhall, Witham, Essex CM8 3HB; do not report emergencies to that address — in an emergency call 999. Requests for the fire report or Freedom of Information enquiries can be made through the service’s usual channels.

It's easy to overlook, but the involvement of power infrastructure quickly turns a routine road collision into a prolonged multi-agency operation that affects local homes as well as road users.

If you’re planning travel across this part of Essex, check updated traffic information before setting out and expect residual lane closures while engineers complete safety checks.