Drivers are being urged to avoid a section of the M25 due to major delays that are expected to last into the evening while repairs are underway after two incidents.

The first incident involved a fire in a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) that was reported shortly after 10pm yesterday (October 20) between junction 5 near Sevenoaks and junction 6 near Godstone on the clockwise side of the motorway.

Fire crews worked for 10 hours to put out the blaze, which caused significant damage to the road surface and the central barrier.

Recovery efforts have been complicated because the fire was so intense that parts of the HGV have disintegrated, and workers are still clearing debris from the road.

Special cutting equipment will be used to dismantle the remaining vehicle parts at the scene.

In another incident, a large leak of hydraulic fluid occurred during overnight maintenance work in one of the northbound tunnels at the Dartford Crossing.

As a result, the east tunnel remains closed while about 400 meters of road needs resurfacing, reducing capacity for northbound traffic by 50 percent.

Robert Bell, Network Operations Manager for National Highways in the South East, advised drivers to avoid the area if they can.

He said: “The challenging nature and extensive damage these incidents have caused means the closures are going to run into tonight’s commute and my advice is to please plan your journey, allow extra time, and avoid the area if you possibly can.

“We have diversions in place but due to these incidents impacting each other there is already significant disruption in the surrounding areas and we expect this to get worse as we move towards the evening commute.

“Getting these roads open is our absolute priority and we are doing everything we can to make that happen.

“The M25 and the Dartford crossing are major parts of the strategic road network, and we understand the inconvenience and disruption any closure has. We appreciate people’s patience and understanding while these significant repairs are undertaken.”

Over height vehicles are unable to access the remaining northbound Dartford crossing tunnel due to a height restriction of 15ft 9” or 4.8m.

Drivers are advised to use the clockwise M25 and follow the diversion route.