drivers on m25 face nine-mile tailbacks and 90 minute delays after oil spill

The M25 has severe delays this morning after a car fire and oil spill (Picture: Highways England)

Traffic on the M25 has ground to a halt after a crash and subsequent car fire.

Drivers on the UK’s busiest motorway have been caught in a monster queue on the outskirts of London,stretching for nine miles after the incident during peak rush hour traffic.

Although some lanes have opened,motorists should prepare for up to 90-minute delays clockwise between junction J16 M40 and J17 Rickmansworth.

Queueing traffic is reaching back to Heathrow Airport and J14,National Highways said.

Traffic delays have spilt onto the M40 and near Heathrow (Picture: Google Maps)

People travelling to Heathrow this morning should allow extra time,it warned.

Lanes three and four remain closed,and two lanes are open for traffic to go past.

Inrix,which analyses traffic data,said in an alert: ‘Long delays and one lane closed due to crash,three cars (one caught fire) involved on M25 clockwise after J16 M40. Congestion to J14 (Heathrow),and M40 queues southbound back to J2 (Beaconsfield).’

Recovery complete lane 3 now openLane 4 (of 4) remains closed #M25 clockwise J16 #M40 – J17 #Rickmansworth for clear up90 minute delay & approx. 9 miles congestion back to J14 @HeathrowAirportPlease plan ahead and allow extra time if travelling to #Heathrow #T5 this morning pic.twitter.com/xaZz1nJm1R

— National Highways: East (@HighwaysEAST) October 6,2025

The M25 issues come after northern England and Scotland are recovering from damage and flooding caused by Storm Amy.

Part of the M62 and smaller roads around North and West Yorkshire became flooded after torrential rainfall and 90mph winds battered the region over the weekend.

A road worker clearing a fallen tree on the A82 near Glenn Coy,Scotland,was reportedly hit by a van and pushed into a ditch.

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