London travel news LIVE: Multi-vehicle crash on M25 causes six mile traffic jam near Potters Bar as lanes closed

Jacob Phillips
·9 min read

Commuters are facing severe delays on the M25 on Thursday afternoon after two lanes of the motorway were forced to close due to a multi-vehicle crash.

There were long delays clockwise due to the incident on the motorway just after Junction 24 (Potters Bar). Congestion was stretching back around six miles to Junction 22, according to Inrix.

Currently, one lane is closed on the M25 M25 clockwise after J24 A111 Stagg Hill (Potters Bar) because of a stalled vehicle.

It comes after commuters on the same stretch of motorway faced eight-mile traffic jams earlier in the afternoon after two lanes of the motorway were forced to close due to a broken down lorry.Drivers also faced long queues on the M25 on Thursday morning after a crash shut the Dartford Tunnel for an hour.Motorists were also stuck in nine-mile tailbacks on the M25 further north in Essex due to reports of people on the road.

Traffic was queuing before Junction 29 at Romford and back along the A12 Brentwood Bypass.

Passengers on the Tube face further strike disruption with Aslef announcing two one-day walkouts on Monday, April 8 and Saturday, May 4.

The union also announced train drivers at 16 rail companies are to stage a fresh wave of strikes and a six-day overtime ban in a long-running dispute over pay, threatening more travel chaos for passengers across the country.

Follow latest updates below.

Key Points

Avanti West Coast trains to Euston cancelled due to shortage of crew

Thursday 21 March 2024 07:30 , Jacob Phillips

A number of Avanti West Coast train services into London are suffering serious disruption.

Some trains into London Euston have been cancelled due to a shortage of crew.

Delays growing on the M25

Thursday 21 March 2024 07:36 , Jacob Phillips

Travel data site Inrix has warned there is currently nine miles of queuing traffic on the M25 due to people on the motorway.

One lane of the road is closed.

Dartford Tunnel partially blocked

Thursday 21 March 2024 07:51 , Jacob Phillips

A crash at the Dartford Tunnel means the route is currently partially blocked.

Congestion is building after the crash anticlockwise between J1A (Dartford) and J31 (Lakeside / Purfleet).

There is congestion to J3 M20 Swanley Interchange, and back down the A2 to Bluewater.

Traffic stopped at Dartford Tunnel due to collision

Thursday 21 March 2024 07:58 , Jacob Phillips

Traffic has stopped on the A282 northbound at the Dartford Tunnel due to a collision.

National Highways has warned delays are building.

Dartford Tunnel shut

Thursday 21 March 2024 08:02 , Jacob Phillips

The Dartford Tunnel has been shut due to a crash on the M25.

Dartford Tunnel shut for around an hour

Thursday 21 March 2024 08:19 , Jacob Phillips

There are long delays on the M25 anticlockwise after a crash closed the Dartford Tunnel.

Both tunnels were closed for nearly an hour but have since reopened, according to travel data site Inrix.

One traveller complained on X that they were brought to a standstill for half an hour near the crossing.

Trains unable to run on Bakerloo Line

Thursday 21 March 2024 08:25 , Jacob Phillips

There is no service between Stonebridge Park and Harrow & Wealdstone on the Bakerloo Line while Transport for London fix a signal failure at Harrow & Wealdstone.

There are minor delays on the rest of the line due to a shortage of trains.

M25 clearing up near Brentwood

Thursday 21 March 2024 08:54 , Jacob Phillips

Heavy traffic remains on the M25 near Brentwood after a group of people were on the motorway earlier on Thursday morning.

Travel data site Inrix has said nine mile tailbacks have cleared up but there is still traffic anticlockwise from Junction 29 (Romford/Basildon) to Junction 28 (Brentwood/Brook Street Roundabout)

Severe delays on the Bakerloo Line

Thursday 21 March 2024 10:23 , Jacob Phillips

Trains are running again on the Bakerloo Line after part of the line was forced to shut while Transport for London fix a signal failure at Harrow & Wealdstone.There are currently severe delays between Stonebridge Park and Harrow & Wealdstone following the incident.

Trains unable to run between Charlton and Lewisham

Thursday 21 March 2024 12:13 , Jacob Phillips

Trains are unable to run between Charlton and Lewisham due to a fault with level crossing barriers.

Southeastern Railway has warned services are diverted via alternative routes and that tickets can be used on the DLR between Lewisham and Greenwich.

Lanes shut on M25 due to stalled truck

Thursday 21 March 2024 13:54 , Jacob Phillips

Drivers on the M25 are facing roughly eight miles of traffic as two lanes were forced to close due to a stalled truck.

The incident happened between Junction 24 (Stagg Hill) and Junction 25 (Great Cambridge Road).

Travel data site Inrix has warned that there is congestion before Junction 23 (South Mimms).

Good service on London Underground

Thursday 21 March 2024 15:35 , Jacob Phillips

There is a good service on all London Underground lines, Transport for London has said.

Long delays on M25 after multi-vehicle crash

Thursday 21 March 2024 16:52 , Jordan King

A multi-vehicle crash has left two lanes closed on the M25, after a multi-vehicle crash clockwise after J24 A111 Stagg Hill (Potters Bar).

Congestion goes back to J22 (St Albans/London Colney) with lanes three and four closed.

M25 congestion goes back for 5.9 miles

Thursday 21 March 2024 17:07 , Jordan King

The delays on the M25, between Junction 24 Stagg Hill (Potters Bar) and Junction 22 (St Albans/London Colney) go back for 5.9 miles.

Alterations to some late night and early morning Southeastern services

Thursday 21 March 2024 17:17 , Jordan King

Today is the second-last day of changes to some late-night Southeastern services.

This is because of planned engineering works.

What this means for tonight/early tomorrow morning:

  • The 11.07pm London St Pancras International to Ramsgate via Dover service will be replaced by an accessible bus between Dover Priory and Ramsgate.

  • From 1am until the end of service accessible buses replace trains between Meopham and Gillingham.

  • The 4.17am Gillingham to Tonbridge service will start from Strood at 4.33am. A replacement bus will leave Gillingham at 3,58am calling at all stations to Strood.

  • The 12.25am London Victoria to Ashford International service will be diverted and run non stop from Bromley South to Ashford. An additional train will run between Maidstone East and Ashford, departing at 1.27am.

Accessible replacement buses will run between:

  • Bromley South and Borough Green & Wrotham, calling at all stations except Eynsford and Shoreham.

  • Borough Green & Wrotham and Ashford International, calling at West Malling, Barming, Maidstone East, Bearsted and Lenham.

  • West Malling and East Malling minibus shuttle.

Reduced late-night service between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 5

Thursday 21 March 2024 17:23 , Jordan King

The Heathrow Express will be affected by planned engineering works later tonight.

The following services will run:

Trains from London Paddington:

Normal service will operate until 9.40pm

After this there will be a train at 9.55pm, 10.25pm, 10.55pm and 11.25pm.

Trains to London Paddington:

Normal service will operate until 9.57pm.

After this there will be a train at 10.27pm, 10.57pm, 11.27pm and 23.58pm.

Minor delays to the Circle Line

Thursday 21 March 2024 17:48 , Jordan King

There are currently minor delays on the Circle Line while TfL fixes a faulty train at Farringdon.

Minor delays to Hammersmith and City line

Thursday 21 March 2024 17:49 , Jordan King

There are currently minor delays on the Hammersmith and City line while TfL fixes a faulty train at Farringdon.

Minor delays to Metropolitan line

Thursday 21 March 2024 17:50 , Jordan King

There are currently minor delays between Harrow On The Hill and Aldgate southbound only while TfL fixes a faulty train at Farringdon - good service on the rest of the line.

Circle line delays now severe

Thursday 21 March 2024 18:14 , Jordan King

There are currently severe delays on the Circle lin due to an earlier faulty train.

District Line severely delayed

Thursday 21 March 2024 18:14 , Jordan King

There are currently severe delays between Ealing Broadway / Wimbledon / Richmond and Tower Hill eastbound only while TfL fixes a faulty train at Earl's Court.

Hammersmith & City line severe delayed

Thursday 21 March 2024 18:15 , Jordan King

There are currently severe delays to the Hammersmith & City line due to an earlier faulty train.

Metropolitan line delays now severe

Thursday 21 March 2024 18:16 , Jordan King

There are currently severe delays between Harrow On The Hill and Aldgate southbound only due to an earlier faulty train - good service on the rest of the line.

Circle line delays back to minor

Thursday 21 March 2024 19:09 , Jordan King

Circle line delays were severe earlier this evening, because of an earlier faulty trains, but they are now minor again.

Metropolitan line delays now minor

Thursday 21 March 2024 19:09 , Jordan King

The delays between Harrow On The Hill and Aldgate are now minor, with a good service on the rest of the line.

District line delays now minor

Thursday 21 March 2024 19:10 , Jordan King

There are currently minor delays between Barking and Upminster due to an earlier faulty train at Earl's Court.

Hammersmith & city line no longer delayed

Thursday 21 March 2024 19:12 , Jordan King

The Hammersmith & City line has returned to running a good service.

Minor delays to Piccadilly line

Thursday 21 March 2024 19:32 , Jordan King

There are currently minor delays between Acton Town and Heathrow Terminals due to train cancellations - good service on the rest of the line.

No late night / early morning trains via Seven Sisters

Thursday 21 March 2024 19:53 , Jordan King

Engineering work is taking place between London Liverpool Street and Cheshunt, closing all lines via Tottenham Hale overnight until Friday morning.

The routes affected are Greater Anglia/Stansted Express services via Tottenham Hale.

Between 11:20pm and 05am each night, trains that usually run via Tottenham Hale will be amended to run via Seven Sisters, extending journey times.

All Tube lines returned to good service

Thursday 21 March 2024 21:11 , Jordan King

All the Tube lines that were delayed are now running a good service.

Good night

Thursday 21 March 2024 21:16 , Jordan King

That concludes The Evening Standard’s coverage for today, check back in with us tomorrow!

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • Dramatic video shows Boeing plane bounce off LAX runway

    Lufthansa admitted that their Tuesday flight to LAX had a bit of a ‘rough landing’ when it touched down

  • Delta plane's emergency slide falls off during flight

    An emergency slide fell off a Delta passenger jet shortly after takeoff Friday, forcing the pilots to return to John F. Kennedy International Airport, officials said. The pilots of Delta Air Lines Flight 520 from New York to Los Angeles reported vibrations and a banging not long after takeoff, the Federal Aviation Administration said. Upon inspection, crews determined that an emergency slide from one of the Boeing 767's exits had separated from the aircraft, Delta said in a statement.

  • Two dead after fiery head-on crash near Clearwater, B.C., police say

    CLEARWATER, B.C. — Police in the British Columbia Interior say two people are dead after a fiery head-on crash involving a semi-truck and a truck belonging to the rail company CN. A statement from the RCMP says officers from Clearwater, B.C., north of Kamloops, responded to the scene along Highway 5 at 12:50 a.m. on Tuesday. The Mounties say the semi and the CN truck crashed head on, then became "engulfed in flames" after a tank exploded on one of the trucks. The driver of the CN truck and a pas

  • Why BYD's EV exports sell for twice the China price

    U.S. and European politicians have raised alarms that their domestic auto industries could be destroyed by a wave of cheap Chinese electric vehicles. The goal: to rake in hefty profit margins the automaker can’t get in China amid fierce competition. In some foreign showrooms, BYD charges more than double — sometimes nearly triple — the price it gets for three key models in China, according to a Reuters review of the automaker’s pricing in five of its biggest export markets.

  • EV sales have slowed. Do massive subsidies still make sense?

    Enormous investments in EV technology shook the automotive industry in both Canada and the U.S. this week. Honda promised to spend $15 billion in Ontario on Thursday morning. Toyota unveiled new investments in Indiana that afternoon, bringing its total spending on EVs in that state to $8 billion US. "In Canada, our target is that 100 per cent of all light duty cars and passenger truck sales be zero emission by 2035," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Honda announcement in Alliston, Ont.

  • Chinese automakers redefine the car as a living space at Beijing Auto Show

    BEIJING (AP) — How about turning a car's front bucket seats 180 degrees so they face the rear seats and extending out a table so the occupants can play cards or eat a meal? Or a 43-inch (109 centimeter) screen for the passengers in the back seat? The seemingly never-ending efforts of China's electric car makers to redefine the automobile went on display Thursday at the opening of the nation's largest annual auto show. They are forcing established makers such as Volkswagen and Nissan to change th

  • Ford hopes cheaper electric cars can convince EV skeptics — just like Tesla

    CEO Jim Farley confirmed that the company is working on new affordable EVs that could be priced between $25,000 to $30,000,.

  • These are the fastest-selling new cars of 2024

    iSeeCars found that a handful of brands sell new cars much faster than others and noted that EVs are taking longer to sell than hybrids.

  • Huawei's smart car tech offers automakers route to China sales

    It's taken Huawei just four years to become a force in smart car technology, navigating the devastation of trade sanctions on its smartphones business while simultaneously developing a driver assistance system that is the darling of the Beijing auto show. Huawei Technologies has two huge booths at this week's event, and there are at least seven Chinese automakers touting its Qiankun installed in their cars as the most sophisticated advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) to date. Even Germany's Volkswagen will equip its China-made, China-bound Audi Q6L e-tron with Qiankun upon the car's 2025 launch, in Huawei's first deal with a foreign automaker, two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

  • Best EVs under $50,000

    These are our favorite electric vehicles that you can get for under $50,000.

  • 'Historic' $15B plan announced for Honda EV plants in Ontario

    Japanese automaker Honda has announced a $15-billion plan to build four new electric vehicle manufacturing plants in Ontario. Mike Drolet reports on the federal government's efforts to re-energize Canada's auto sector, and the reasons why Honda chose Ontario.

  • I’m an Ex-Car Salesperson: 6 Tactics To Avoid a Purchase You’ll Regret

    Getting a new car is exciting, but also nerve-wracking if you're dealing with an aggressive salesman. However, there are ways to handle pushy dealers who try to persuade you into buying the wrong car...

  • The Mercedes G 580 with EQ Technology is a G Wagen first, an EV second

    The Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology was developed to be capable as an off-roader and a status symbol, so the relatively low range may not matter.

  • Queen Elizabeth II Drove This Daimler Majestic. Now It’s up for Auction.

    Bidding for the stately saloon has already reached $50,000.

  • Here's a list of recent electric vehicle and battery plant announcements in Canada

    Honda Motor Co. plans to build a $15-billion electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., plant, which it will retool to produce EVs, the company announced on Thursday. The project includes up to $5 billion in public funding and is the latest in a string of EV-related announcements, many of which also saw an injection of government money. Here's a look at some of the major plans: Honda Canada, Alliston, Ont. Honda Canada says its $15-billion project will include the retooled plant,

  • Most drivers will pay $15 to enter busiest part of Manhattan starting June 30

    The start date for the $15 toll most drivers will be charged to enter Manhattan's central business district will be June 30, transit officials said Friday. Under the so-called congestion pricing plan, the $15 fee will apply to most drivers who enter Manhattan south of 60th Street during daytime hours. The program, which was approved by the New York state Legislature in 2019, is supposed to raise $1 billion per year to fund public transportation for the city’s 4 million daily riders.

  • Honda to get up to $5B in government assistance for EV battery, assembly plants

    Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles as part of a $15-billion project to create a supply chain in the province for the Japanese automaker. The plan – which includes up to $5 billion in public funds – is expected to see the two main plants create 1,000 jobs on top of retaining the existing 4,200 jobs at the assembly plant. That plant is set to produce up to 240,000 vehicles per

  • Toyota pilots EV pickup trucks in key Thai market

    STORY: A motorcade of Toyota electric pickup trucks drove through the Thai seaside city of Pattaya some 62 miles east of Bangkok, where the vehicles were deployed for fixed-route transit.The world's top-selling automaker's move in Thailand comes as Chinese EV brands make inroads into the region's main auto assembly and export hub.

  • Delta Airlines Boeing plane loses emergency slide in mid-air after JFK takeoff

    The flight bound for Los Angeles forced to return to New York

  • These are the slowest-selling new cars of 2024

    iSeeCars cited value and compelling products as drivers for fast-selling car brands' success, and some are doing much better than others.