Ten-Mile Tailbacks Paralyze Dartford Crossing After Vehicle Fire on M25 Traffic chaos engulfed the Dartford Crossing on Tuesday morning after a vehicle fire crippled the M25 motorway. The blaze broke out at around 6:30 am, sending thick black smoke billowing into the air and forcing the closure of two lanes. As emergency crews battled to extinguish the fire, ten-mile tailbacks formed along the crossing’s approach roads. Commuters faced hours of delays, with some stranded for up to three hours. Frustration mounted as drivers sat motionless in their vehicles, unable to move. According to Highways England, the fire involved a single lorry carrying flammable liquids. The blaze caused significant damage to the vehicle and the surrounding area. Firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the flames and prevent them from spreading. The M25, one of the busiest roads in the UK, was closed in both directions between junctions 30 and 31. Traffic was diverted, but the alternative routes quickly became overwhelmed. The congestion extended beyond the crossing, disrupting traffic across Kent and Essex. Kent Police and Highways England deployed additional resources to manage the situation. Officers assisted with traffic control, while emergency service vehicles were given priority passage. However, the sheer volume of traffic made it challenging to clear the backlog. The vehicle fire is believed to have been caused by a mechanical fault. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause. The affected lanes of the M25 are expected to remain closed for several hours while repairs are carried out. The disruption at the Dartford Crossing has caused widespread delays and frustration for commuters. Travelers are advised to seek alternative routes or consider delaying their journeys if possible. Highways England and the emergency services are working diligently to resolve the situation and restore normal traffic flow.Heavy Congestion on M25 Clockwise Due to Vehicle FireHeavy Congestion on M25 Clockwise Due to Vehicle Fire Around 10 miles of tailbacks have formed around the Dartford Crossing on the M25 clockwise following a vehicle fire. At 10:25am, all lanes were closed on the M25 clockwise from junction 1a (Swanscombe) to junction 1b (A296 Princes Road, Dartford). As of 12:35pm, all four lanes have reopened. Queues are still building around the Essex-Kent border after authorities closed the road at approximately 10:25am. Traffic Delays on M25 Anticlockwise Elsewhere, traffic is queuing for around four miles on the M25 anticlockwise near Waltham Cross, north London, due to roadworks. The slow-moving congestion stretches from junction 26 (Waltham Abbey) to junction 25 (A10 Enfield) around a construction area, according to live data presented by Inrix. Tube and Overground Disruptions On the Tube, the Northern line has experienced severe delays after a fire alert at Colindale. The London Overground is currently suspended between West Croydon and Sydenham due to signal failure. All other London Underground lines are operating normally. M25 Two Lanes Closed After Vehicle Fire At 11:10am, two lanes were closed on the M25 clockwise from junction 1a A206 (QE2 Bridge) to junction 1b A296 (Dartford) due to the vehicle fire. Queues had formed back to junction 30 (A13 Lakeside) over the bridge. Lanes one and two (of four) remained closed after a hold was lifted at 10:45am. Overground Part Suspended At 11:11am, the London Overground was partially suspended between West Croydon and Sydenham due to a signal failure at West Croydon. Transport for London announced that tickets are being accepted on the London Underground via any reasonable route. Severe Delays on Northern Line At 11:13am, the Northern Tube line was no longer partially suspended, but severe delays were still reported due to a fire alert at Colindale. The delays were affecting the entire line. Dartford Traffic Surges to 10 Miles At 11:23am, live data showed that tailbacks around the Dartford Crossing had stretched back to approximately 10 miles as traffic adjusted to the earlier lane closures. National Highways tweeted: “Delays on approach, please allow extra time for your journey.” Northern Line Delays Diminished At 11:36am, Transport for London data indicated that the earlier problems on the Northern line had been cleared. Delays had eased to minor levels on the Northern, Piccadilly, and Central lines. One Lane Closure at Dartford At 11:57am, one lane remained closed on the M25 between junction 1a and junction 1b following the vehicle fire. Congestion extended halfway back to junction 29 A127 Romford, over the QE2 Bridge. Disruptions on LNER Line Delays were expected on the LNER line between Peterborough and London Kings Cross until 2pm due to an incident at Huntington. Dartford Progress At 12:18pm, Lane 1 (of 4) remained closed on the M25 clockwise between junction 1a Dartford and junction 1b Stone due to the vehicle fire. All other lanes had reopened, and service contractors and National Highways Traffic Officers were on the scene. Long Delays on M25 between Enfield and Waltham Abbey At 12:34pm, long delays formed on the M25 anticlockwise from junction 27 (M11) to junction 25 A10 (Enfield) due to a construction project. Tailbacks reached two miles before junction 27 and one mile after junction 25. All Lanes Reopen in Dartford At 12:35pm, all lanes on the M25 clockwise between junction 1a (Dartford) and junction 1b (Stone) had reopened following the vehicle fire.Ten-Mile Tailbacks at Dartford Crossing After Vehicle Fire A vehicle fire on the M25 has caused severe delays at the Dartford Crossing. Motorists are facing queues of over ten miles in both directions after the incident, which occurred at around 4:30pm. The fire has been extinguished, but emergency services remain on the scene and one lane of the motorway is currently closed. The delays are expected to continue for several hours, and motorists are advised to find alternative routes. Highways England is urging drivers to check traffic conditions before setting out and to allow extra time for their journeys.