m23 closed near gatwick airport after 'serious police incident'

Motorists face long delays on the M23 this morning (Picture: National Highways)

Part of the M23 is closed near Gatwick Airport,causing long rush hour traffic delays.

The M23 had hour-long delays after a police incident on the motorway.

Inrix,which analyses traffic data,described it as a ‘serious police incident,’ which happened on the southbound carriageway.

The road was closed for hours between junction J8 (M25) and J9 (Gatwick Airport) after the incident shortly before 7am.

Lanes three and four reopened just before 2pm,but there are some residual delays between J8 and J9.

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Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.Surrey Police said it was alerted after concern for safety at about 6am today.A map shows where the M23 was closed outside Gatwick Airport (Picture: Google)The force told Metro: ‘Officers are still on scene,and the road is currently closed southbound. The northbound carriageway was reopened shortly after 8am.’Passengers travelling to the UK’s second busiest airport this morning might struggle to get in from the M25.National Highways said: ‘The M23 remains CLOSED southbound between J8 Redhilll and J9 Gatwick Airport due to a Police Led Incident. Traffic on the northbound carriageway has been released Gatwick Airport‘Surrey Police are on scene. There are currently 60 min delays northbound.’Queueing and stationary traffic is stretching as far back as J9 of M25.A driver said on social media: ‘Been here since around 6.20am,the police have just walked down the motorway saying something along the lines of ‘remain in your vehicle,we are looking to open lane 4 on the northbound carriage way’ I am guessing to turn us around he was walking and talking so couldn’t quiet make it out 100% as I was in my car.’UPDATE Lanes 3 and 4 are in the process of re-opening on the #M23 southbound between #J8 #Redhilll and J9 #GatwickAirport .Lanes 1 and 2 will continue to remain CLOSED for National Highways contractors to work at scene.Thanks for your patience. pic.twitter.com/qd6hldnl9O— National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) September 10,2025Another motorist said it took him an hour and 35 minutes to travel eight miles.One passenger travelling to the airport said: ‘I have a flight at 11:25 this is unacceptable.’Meanwhile,the M25 and roads leading into central London are busy today as all Tube lines remain out of action during the Underground strikes.Got a story?