M25 near Godstone closed after lorry breaks down and scatters debris

A broken-down lorry brought traffic to a standstill on the M25 near Godstone on the morning of 21 August. The vehicle shed debris across three lanes, creating a mile-long obstruction, National Highways said. Surrey Police and fire crews attended the scene, though no injuries were reported.

The incident occurred on the clockwise carriageway between junctions 6 and 7, near the Godstone interchange. National Highways confirmed the closure shortly after 8:30 a.m. and diverted vehicles via the slip roads. Recovery teams worked to remove the lorry and clear the debris, with delays persisting into the late morning.

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What caused the delay

The lorry, which had not been identified by authorities, broke down and lost part of its load, scattering materials across the motorway. Surrey Police said no collisions were reported, but the debris forced the closure of three lanes. Firefighters assisted in making the scene safe before recovery could begin.

National Highways urged drivers to avoid the area and check traffic updates via its website or social media channels. The agency said the carriageway reopened fully by 11:45 a.m., though residual delays continued as traffic resumed normal flow.

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What happens next

National Highways will review CCTV footage and incident logs to determine the cause of the breakdown. The agency said it would publish a summary of the disruption in its weekly traffic report. Drivers who experienced delays are advised to submit claims for compensation through the National Highways website if they incurred costs due to the closure.

Surrey Police said no further action was required, but the incident would be logged as part of routine traffic monitoring. The force reminded drivers to secure loads properly and report breakdowns immediately to reduce hazards on motorways.