Drivers faced severe disruption near Gatwick Airport on Thursday after a serious early-morning crash forced the closure of part of the M23, triggering long delays and adding to mounting pressure on Easter holiday travel.
The incident happened at around 5:15am to 5:30am on April 2, when a vehicle reportedly left the road and collided with a tree on the northbound carriageway. The crash led to the immediate shutdown of the M23 between Junction 10 at Crawley and Junction 9 for Gatwick Airport.
Emergency services, including Sussex Police, rushed to the scene, while National Highways officers were deployed to assist with traffic management and secure the area. Due to the seriousness of the collision, authorities warned that the motorway would remain closed for several hours as investigation work continued.
The closure quickly caused major congestion, with traffic backing up along the M23 and surrounding routes. Tailbacks extended towards Junction 10a near Crawley South and Balcombe, as vehicles were left stuck in near gridlock conditions during the peak morning period.
Images from the scene showed long lines of vehicles at a standstill, with some drivers trapped for extended periods. In an effort to ease the situation, traffic officers began turning vehicles around from the rear of the queue — a clear sign of the scale of disruption.
The impact was particularly severe given the timing. With Easter travel beginning to pick up, thousands of drivers were already expected to be on the roads heading towards airports, holiday destinations and family gatherings. The M23, which serves as a key route to Gatwick Airport, is one of the most critical transport links in the South East.
For passengers heading to Gatwick, the disruption created immediate uncertainty. Delays on the motorway meant longer journey times, missed connections and increased stress for travellers trying to catch flights during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
National Highways confirmed that the closure was necessary to allow emergency crews to respond safely and to carry out detailed collision investigation work. Roads affected by serious incidents often remain shut for extended periods to ensure evidence is properly examined and the carriageway is safe before reopening.
The knock-on effect extended beyond the motorway itself. As traffic diverted away from the M23, surrounding local roads began to feel the pressure, with congestion building in nearby areas including Crawley and routes leading towards the airport.
Motorists were urged to avoid the area where possible and allow extra time for their journeys. Officials also advised drivers to follow diversion routes and stay updated with live traffic alerts as the situation developed.
The disruption highlights how a single incident can quickly escalate into widespread travel chaos, especially during peak periods like Easter. With increased traffic volumes and limited alternative routes near major transport hubs, even a short stretch of closure can lead to hours of delays.
While emergency services continued their work at the scene, drivers were left dealing with the immediate impact — long queues, uncertainty and significant delays on a key motorway at the start of a busy holiday period.
For the latest updates on road closures and traffic conditions, drivers can check National Highways.
As the M23 remained closed near Gatwick following the serious crash, the situation served as a stark reminder of how quickly travel plans can be disrupted, particularly during one of the most important travel weekends of the year.
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