M25 Traffic: Part of M25 in Essex still shut after lorry crash brings down cables

The immediate impact is on drivers and nearby residents: m25 traffic has been heavily disrupted and local homes lost power after a collision that brought down an electricity pole and overhead cables. Emergency crews and engineers have been on scene while lane and carriageway closures have forced diversions and created prolonged delays for motorists heading around Brentwood and the junction for the M11.

Who is affected and how

Motorists using the M25 between junction 28 (Brentwood) and junction 27 (M11) have faced long delays and lane closures, with drivers asked to avoid the area and seek alternative routes. Fourteen properties were left without power when an electricity pole and overhead cables were brought down. Emergency teams asked drivers to remain in their vehicles while crews worked. Here's the part that matters: m25 traffic was stopped in both directions while engineers made the scene safe, and lane restrictions remained in place for ongoing clear-up work.

Event details and immediate causes

The collision involved two lorries. One lorry had a tyre blow-out and left the road anticlockwise, colliding with the central reservation and damaging a power cable. A second lorry suffered windscreen damage in the incident. No one was hurt, and no one was reported to be seriously injured. Because a power line was affected, engineers were required to attend the exposed wires and make the area safe.

M25 Traffic: timeline of closures, reopenings and status updates

• Shortly before 11: 00am on Tuesday 24 February a lorry left the road following a tyre blow-out, colliding with the reservation and damaging a power cable.
• 11: 45am: the M25 was closed anticlockwise between J28 (Brentwood) and J27 (M11) while crews attended; power cables had been brought down.
• 1: 30pm: National Highways East stated the M25 was closed in both directions between J28 and J27 because of the power-line risk.
• 3: 55pm: the clockwise carriageway between J27 and J28 was reopened.
• 4: 20pm: the anticlockwise carriageway between J28 and J27 was opened again, though lanes one and two (of four) remained closed for ongoing clear-up work.
• Engineers from UK Power Networks attended and made the damaged equipment safe; lane closures were expected to remain in place for several hours.

It’s easy to overlook, but crews noted that while some lanes reopened, lane protections stayed in place to complete the clear-up and ensure safety.

Response by emergency services and networks

Emergency services attended the scene, including Essex Police, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, and National Highways teams. UK Power Networks engineers worked on the exposed wires and made the damage safe. Crews thanked motorists for their patience while agencies coordinated the response. The road closure was expected to be managed by Highways England and to remain in place for several hours.

Local knock-on effects and travel alternatives

A diversion to central London was put in place the A13 westbound. In addition to motorway disruption, rail services experienced separate disruption: Gatwick Express services were affected earlier when a train struck an obstruction in the Salfords area, blocking the line towards Purley. Trains to, from and through Gatwick Airport may have been cancelled, delayed by up to 40 minutes or revised, with disruption expected to continue until around 12: 00.

Practical details and contact note

Drivers were asked to avoid the area and use alternative routes while lanes remained closed. At one point, crews advised motorists to remain in their vehicles while the incident was being dealt with. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters is listed as Kelvedon Park Rivenhall Witham Essex CM8 3HB for non-emergency correspondence.

The real question now is whether remaining lane restrictions will be cleared within the forecasted hours; reopening progressed through the afternoon but some lanes stayed closed for safety and clean-up.

Key forward signals that will confirm recovery include the full reopening of lanes one and two on the anticlockwise carriageway and confirmation that power supplies to the 14 affected properties are restored.