UMVA has learned that a devastating coach fire has brought chaos to the M25 motorway near Leatherhead, with Surrey firefighters battling to contain the blaze.
The incident, which occurred during peak rush hour, has caused massive congestion, with 12 miles of traffic jam and 90-minute delays in the area. The emergency services are on the scene, with four fire engines and a water carrier deployed to tackle the fire.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the stretch of road from junctions 9 to 8, anticlockwise, has been closed while the incident is dealt with. Motorists are being advised to avoid the area where possible, as the heatwave gripping the region adds to the challenges.
The dry, hot conditions have increased the wildfire risk, with Surrey, Greater London, and the South East of England under an amber heat health alert. Temperatures in the area reached almost 30C, exacerbating the traffic delays now building in both directions.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that lanes 1 and 2 remain closed on the M25 anticlockwise between junctions 9 and 8, with recovery and clean-up works ongoing. Lanes 3 and 4 have been reopened, but the delays are expected to continue.
The emergency services are working to bring the situation under control, with everyone on board the coach accounted for. The cause of the fire is not yet known, but it is clear that the incident has had a significant impact on the region.
