Drivers faced significant congestion on the M25 in Surrey on Friday morning after a crash involving a van during the peak of rush hour. The collision occurred on the clockwise carriageway between junction 10 near Guildford and junction 11 at Woking, resulting in traffic grinding to a halt.
Delays and Queues
National Highways reported that queues stretched for six miles, causing delays of approximately 45 minutes. Footage from the scene showed at least one van on the central reservation with its front end severely damaged. Surrey Police and traffic officers were dispatched and remain on site managing the situation.
Impact on Anticlockwise Traffic
The anticlockwise carriageway also experienced severe delays, with queues extending back towards Heathrow Airport and junction 13. Motorists were advised to seek alternative routes or allow extra travel time.
Bank Holiday Weekend Travel
The incident comes as the early May bank holiday weekend is predicted to be the busiest on UK roads in a decade, despite high fuel prices. The RAC forecasts around 19 million trips on motorways and A-roads over the weekend. Friday has been dubbed 'Frantic Friday', with an estimated 3.7 million people taking to the roads, while Saturday is expected to be the busiest day with 4 million journeys.
Fuel Prices
Petrol and diesel prices remain elevated due to the ongoing conflict in Iran and uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil route responsible for nearly a fifth of the world's supply.
Drivers are urged to check live traffic updates before traveling and to plan for potential delays during the holiday period.
