M25 Gridlock: Three Crashes Cause 90-Minute Delays
Multiple collisions on September 20, 2026, led to extensive congestion and emergency service response across Surrey and Kent.
Trust 30Craft 57Hype 45How this was reported ▾
The central claim is attributed to National Highways, but no specific documents or named individuals were cited.
How well corroborated and evidenced the reporting is. Higher is better.
The article clearly separates facts from comment and provides specific details about the incidents and their impact.
Context, balance and separation of fact from comment. Higher is better.
The headline uses 'chaos' and 'six mile queues' which is a lively but fair description of the reported gridlock.
How far presentation runs ahead of substance. Lower is better.
1 source assessed · methodology
The M25 experienced severe traffic disruption on the afternoon of September 20, 2026, following three separate multi-vehicle collisions. These incidents led to delays of up to 90 minutes and substantial congestion, with reports of six miles of queuing traffic on sections of the motorway.
Collisions Across Motorway Sections
Campervan overturn causes M3 delays near M25
A female passenger was taken to hospital following the incident which blocked two lanes.
The first crash occurred on the M25 anticlockwise between junction 13 for Staines and junction 12 for the M3 in Surrey. Three lanes were closed, and traffic was significantly slowed, with congestion extending towards junction 15 near Heathrow Airport. Lanes three, four, and five were out of service, leading to 60-minute delays and four miles of congestion in this area.
A second collision took place on the M25 clockwise between junction 10 for the Wisley Interchange and junction 11 for Chertsey, also in Surrey. All lanes were temporarily stopped, causing queuing traffic. Emergency services attended this scene, contributing to 70-minute delays and five miles of congestion between these junctions.
The third incident happened on the M25 anticlockwise between junction 6 for Godstone and junction 5 for the M26 in Kent. Three lanes were initially closed, resulting in very slow traffic. While traffic was later released in lane four, lanes one, two, and three remained closed, contributing to the longest delays of 90 minutes and six miles of congestion.
M25 Traffic Disrupted by Two Crashes
Motorway lanes were closed causing significant delays for drivers.
Emergency Response and Witness Accounts
Emergency services were present at the various accident sites, with ambulances, fire trucks, and police responding to the incidents. Witnesses reported seeing numerous emergency vehicles and recovery trucks. At one location, drivers reported being stationary for extended periods, with some leaving their vehicles due to the prolonged standstill, as reported by This Is Local London.
Questions this report answers
+How many crashes happened on the M25 on September 20, 2026?
Three separate multi-vehicle crashes occurred on the M25 on the afternoon of September 20, 2026. These incidents led to significant traffic disruption and emergency service responses across different sections of the motorway.
+What were the longest delays reported on the M25?
The longest delays reported were up to 90 minutes, with six miles of congestion. This occurred on the anticlockwise section between junction 6 for Godstone and junction 5 for the M26 in Kent.
+Which junctions were affected by the M25 crashes?
The crashes affected the M25 anticlockwise between junction 13 (Staines) and junction 12 (M3), clockwise between junction 10 (Wisley Interchange) and junction 11 (Chertsey), and anticlockwise between junction 6 (Godstone) and junction 5 (M26).
WE FILE
No invented reporter. No hidden source trail.
The London Travel Desk assembled this report from the outlets listed below. Language-model drafting is reviewed under human editorial supervision, with scoring notes and corrections kept visible.
More Coverage in Roads & Driving
Campervan overturn causes M3 delays near M25
M25 Traffic Disrupted by Two Crashes
M25 Crash Causes Major Traffic Delays
