Multi-vehicle crash closes Dartford tunnel causing miles of queues

Drivers are facing 30 minute delays and four-mile queues after a crash on the M40.

It is affecting traffic on the motorway northbound between junction four for High Wycombe and junction five for Stokenchurch.

Highways England advises drivers to check before they travel.

A points failure between Cambridge and Royston/Audley End means the lines running from Cambridge towards Royston and Audley End are blocked.

As a result, trains may be cancelled or delayed until approximately 4pm.

The 13.53 Cambridge North to London Liverpool Street service is currently being delayed at Cambridge as a result.

If you have an advance purchase ticket you will be allowed to travel on an earlier or later train if your booked service is cancelled.

Great Northern and Thameslink advise that people allow up to 30 minutes to complete their journeys this afternoon.

The Dartford tunnel northbound is closed following a multi-vehicle crash.

Ambulance crews are working at the scene to make it safe and recovery is on route.

There are delays of up to 60 minutes on approach northbound and six miles of congestion.

A 30-year-old motorcyclist has died following a crash on the M25 yesterday afternoon.

The crash happened on the clockwise carriageway, close to junction 26 at Waltham Abbey, at about 1.25pm.

The road was closed for several hours while emergency services worked to investigate and make the area safe.

Police want to hear from anybody who may have information or dashcam footage.

A person has been hit by a train between Kettering and Bedford which means some lines are currently closed while emergency services attend the scene.

Trains between Leicester/Corby and Bedford may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised as a result.

This is impacting routes between Sheffield/Nottingham/Corby and London St Pancras International

Disruption is expected until 4pm.

The A3 southbound in Hampshire between the A272 for Petersfield and junction 2 for Horndean has now reopened.

It was originally closed because of overrunning roadworks in the area.

The M74 northbound at junction 5 has now been cleared following an earlier crash.

Traffic conditions in the area are now back to normal.

As we head into this afternoon, there is heavy traffic northbound on the M11 just outside Stansted airport.

The heavy traffic starts at junction 8 and begins to ease just after the village of Elsenham, according to Google Maps traffic.

It is not yet known what has caused the traffic build-up.

Traffic on the M5 is held following a multi-vehicle crash this morning.

There are delays reported northbound at junction 23 near Bridgwater.

Roads and traffic monitoring site Inrix first reported the crash at 11.57am. It said: ‘All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to multi-vehicle accident on M5 northbound at J23 A39 (Bridgwater North). Traffic was held just before midday.’

Traffic cameras show tailbacks forming in all three lanes.

Military personnel and veterans will be able to travel for free on trains to attend Remembrance Sunday events, South Western Railway (SWR) has said.

SWR said those travelling in uniform, or who can show identification, will be eligible for the gesture.

SWR said the offer is applicable across the country, adding it will be available for volunteers attending London Poppy Day events on Thursday.

Peter Williams, customer and commercial director for the train company, said many colleagues had a ‘proud background in the armed forces’.

Traffic has been stopped on the M1 northbound between junction 29A for Duckmanton and junction 30 for Barlborough while a car is recovered after it overturned.

Recovery agents and firefighters are currently at the scene.

There is currently six miles of congestion and delays of one hour in the area.

Southeastern has confirmed it will be running a Halloween-themed service today in celebration of all things Halloween.

A special ‘ghost train’ left London Charing Cross at 10.45am bound for Pluckley in Kent, claimed to be the most haunted location in the UK.

The return journey leaves Pluckley at 2.36pm and arrives back at Charing Cross at 3.54pm, Southeastern said.

There are also games on the train to keep people entertained.

Matt Hawken, area manager at Southeastern, added: ‘We’re thrilled to offer our customers a unique and thrilling experience this Halloween with our ghost train to Pluckley.

‘It’s a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with games companies and enjoy some spooky games and create unforgettable memories.

‘We can’t wait to see everyone in their Halloween best.’

A person has died following a crash on the Dartford Crossing yesterday afternoon.

The serious crash happened on the clockwise carriageway of the A282 at 2.32pm yesterday.

The motorcyclist, a man in his 50s, died at the scene and his next of kin has been informed.

The road was closed while the incident was responded to and reopened at around 11.45pm.

Animals on the railway between Welshpool and Newtown (Powys) is causing disruption to journeys between these stations.

As a result, trains running between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth may be delayed by up to 20 minutes or suspended between Machynlleth and Aberystwyth.

Routes impacted include between Birmingham International/Birmingham New Street and Aberystwyth.

Disruption is expected until 11am.

Drivers out on the roads this morning on the M74 northbound south of Glasgow are facing delays of 25 minutes following a multi-vehicle crash.

Traffic Scotland has advised people to approach with caution at junction 5 and two lanes are currently closed.

Emergency services are currently dealing with the crash at the scene.

There is heavy traffic on the A13 eastbound in Grays following the closure of the A1089.

The A1089 is closed northbound from Marshfoot Road to Stanford Road after a crash.

The road closure is expected to be in place until 1.30pm.

There is heavy traffic on the M4 eastbound at junction 19 for the M32 after a car overturned on a slip road.

National Highways traffic cameras show the vehicle flipped onto its side in the middle of the road.

Traffic monitor Inrix reports: ‘M4 eastbound entry slip road closed, heavy traffic due to overturned vehicle accident at J19 M32 (Bristol). M4 eastbound entry slip road closed, heavy traffic due to overturned vehicle accident at J19 M32 (Bristol).’

Regulated train fares in England will increase by 4.6% next year, while the price of most railcards will rise by £5.

The increases were not mentioned by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her Budget speech but it was instead noted in the Treasury’s budget document.

The changes will come into force on March 2, 2025.

The Treasury said the 4.6% increase to regulated rail fares in 2025 was one percentage point above July’s Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation.

The government said: ‘It’s the lowest absolute increase in three years.’

Trains between Kings Cross and Peterborough are currently delayed by up to 15 minutes.

This is due to a fault with the signalling system between Peterborough and Stevenage.

There is heavy traffic this morning on the M62 westbound within junction 18 for the M60 and junction 19 for the A6046 following a crash.

Traffic is at a standstill at the moment but normal traffic conditions are expected by 10am this morning.