Drivers using the M25 faced a difficult Saturday morning after two separate crashes disrupted clockwise traffic on key stretches of the motorway near Sevenoaks, Godstone and the Dartford Crossing.
The first collision involved a lorry between Junction 5 for Sevenoaks and Junction 6 for Godstone. Traffic was temporarily stopped on the clockwise carriageway while the scene was made safe, causing queues to build quickly across the Kent and Surrey border.
Congestion also affected traffic heading towards Clacket Lane services, with motorists warned to expect slow-moving conditions as emergency crews and recovery teams dealt with the incident.
The disruption was made worse by a separate crash on the QE2 Bridge section of the M25. Two lanes were closed clockwise between Junction 31 for Lakeside and Purfleet and Junction 1A for Dartford, creating further delays for traffic heading across the Thames.
Traffic monitoring reports said queues were forming on the bridge approach, one of the busiest sections of the orbital motorway. The Dartford Crossing is already a pressure point for drivers moving between Essex and Kent, and lane closures can quickly lead to wider delays across the area.
Both incidents happened during the morning travel period on Saturday, May 9, when weekend journeys, freight traffic and local trips were all using the route. Drivers were urged to allow extra time and check conditions before travelling.
Emergency services, including police and ambulance crews, were contacted for further details. At the time of reporting, no confirmed update had been issued on injuries linked to either crash.
National Highways traffic cameras showed heavy traffic on the affected stretches, while live traffic reports described long delays clockwise between Sevenoaks and Godstone and further congestion around the QE2 Bridge.
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Why delays spread quickly on this part of the M25
The M25 is one of the UK’s busiest roads, linking major routes around London and carrying a high volume of cars, vans and heavy goods vehicles throughout the day. When traffic is held or lanes are closed, queues can develop rapidly, especially near junctions and major crossings.
The section between Sevenoaks and Godstone is important for drivers travelling between Kent, Surrey, Gatwick Airport routes and the wider South East. A lorry crash on this stretch can take longer to clear because recovery work often requires extra space and safety checks before lanes can reopen.
The QE2 Bridge is another major pinch point. It carries clockwise traffic across the River Thames as part of the Dartford Crossing. When two lanes are shut, capacity drops sharply and delays can quickly stretch back towards Essex.
Drivers planning to use the route should check official updates before setting off. The latest motorway closures, delays and travel advice are available through the National Highways live traffic service.
Those travelling from Kent into Essex, or from Surrey towards Dartford, may face longer journey times even after lanes reopen, as congestion often takes time to clear fully.
Motorists are advised not to stop on the hard shoulder unless it is an emergency, to keep a safe distance in slow traffic and to follow instructions from traffic officers at the scene.
The incidents added to wider pressure on roads across the South East, where weekend traffic often increases around shopping areas, airport routes, coastal journeys and major motorway links.
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