Commuters faced major disruption on Thursday morning after a serious crash on the M3 near the M25 caused a significant diesel spill, forcing authorities to shut a key stretch of the motorway for several hours. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of March 19, quickly escalated into a rush-hour traffic nightmare, with delays stretching up to 50 minutes and queues building rapidly across Surrey.
The crash happened at around 4:00am on the eastbound carriageway between Junction 3 (Bagshot) and Junction 2 (M25). According to officials, the collision involved two heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), which reportedly collided with each other before one struck an overhead gantry and the other suffered a ruptured fuel tank. This resulted in a substantial diesel spill spreading across the carriageway, making the road unsafe for traffic.
M3 crash today triggers major motorway closure near M25
National Highways confirmed that the M3 eastbound was immediately closed between Junction 3 and Junction 2 following the incident. The closure affected one of the busiest routes into London, causing widespread disruption for commuters, airport traffic, and freight vehicles heading towards the M25 and beyond.
Traffic quickly built up behind the closure, with delays reaching up to 50 minutes during peak morning hours. Drivers were caught in long queues as congestion spread to nearby roads, including Bagshot, Lightwater, and connecting routes leading towards the M25.
A National Highways spokesperson said the crash involved “two heavy goods vehicles, with one striking a gantry and another rupturing its fuel tank, leading to a substantial diesel spillage across the carriageway.” The agency warned that delays would continue throughout the morning as recovery and clean-up operations were carried out.
Emergency services respond to early morning crash
Emergency services were quickly deployed to the scene, including Surrey Police, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, South East Coast Ambulance Service, and National Highways traffic officers. Fire crews attended with multiple engines, focusing on managing debris and containing the fuel spill.
Surrey Police confirmed that officers were called shortly before 4:00am following reports of a collision involving two lorries. While the crash appeared serious, no life-threatening injuries were reported. Both drivers were assessed at the scene by paramedics.
The South East Coast Ambulance Service later confirmed that one driver was treated for a shoulder injury before being taken to St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey for further medical care. The second driver was also checked over as a precaution.
Authorities noted that the primary challenge was not injuries but the complexity of the clean-up operation, particularly due to the diesel spill and damage to motorway infrastructure.
Why the diesel spill caused long delays
The ruptured fuel tank led to diesel spreading across the motorway surface, creating a major hazard for vehicles. Diesel significantly reduces tyre grip, increasing the risk of skidding, especially at motorway speeds. Because of this, specialist teams were required to safely remove the fuel, treat the road surface, and ensure it was safe before reopening.
At the same time, the lorry that struck the gantry raised concerns about possible structural damage. Engineers needed to inspect the overhead structure before traffic could safely resume, further extending the closure.
According to updates from National Highways, the incident required a coordinated response involving contractors, recovery teams, and safety specialists. These operations are time-intensive, particularly when both infrastructure damage and hazardous materials are involved.
Diversion routes put in place as congestion worsens
To manage traffic flow, drivers were diverted off the M3 at Junction 3. The official diversion route directed motorists onto the A322, then onto the A30 through Sunningdale and Egham. From there, drivers could rejoin the M25 at Junction 13 before continuing to Junction 12 to reconnect with the M3 eastbound.
However, the diversion routes quickly became congested as large volumes of traffic were redirected. Local roads struggled to cope with motorway-level traffic, leading to delays extending well beyond the immediate closure zone.
Even with two lanes reopening at the M25 junction to help release trapped traffic, congestion remained severe throughout the morning.
M3 reopens but delays continue into midday
After hours of recovery work, the M3 eastbound carriageway was finally reopened at around 10:30am. However, traffic conditions did not immediately return to normal. Long queues and residual congestion continued to affect drivers into the late morning and around midday.
Traffic data suggested that normal conditions were only expected to resume fully between 12:00pm and 12:15pm, although this remained subject to ongoing clean-up and traffic flow.
Drivers were advised to check live updates and avoid the area if possible, with authorities warning that delays could persist even after the road reopened.
M3 traffic chaos highlights impact of HGV crashes
This incident once again highlights how quickly a single HGV crash can disrupt a major UK motorway. The combination of a fuel spill, infrastructure damage, and early morning timing created a perfect storm for widespread delays.
The M3 is a key route linking the South West to London and connecting directly with the M25, one of the busiest motorways in Europe. Any disruption along this stretch has a ripple effect across multiple regions, affecting commuters, logistics operations, and airport access routes.
For many drivers, Thursday’s disruption turned a routine commute into a prolonged and frustrating journey. The crash serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of major road networks and the importance of rapid emergency response and coordinated traffic management.
Motorists can continue to monitor updates and travel alerts through official channels such as Surrey Police as well as traffic services, especially during ongoing recovery operations or similar incidents.
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