Drivers are facing long delays on the M3 this morning following a large collision involving two lorries.
The M3 eastbound in Surrey is closed between J3 Bagshot Interchange (Woking, Bracknell, Lightwater A322) and J2 Thorpe Interchange (Gatwick Airport (M23); Heathrow Airport (M4); The NORTH (M1); Dartford (M20); Chertsey (A320); Staines (A30); M25).
National Highways reported that the road remains closed following a collision involving two heavy goods vehicles.
One HGV struck a gantry, while the other sustained a ruptured fuel tank, resulting in a “substantial spillage of diesel across the carriageway”.
Emergency repairs will likely have to take place to the gantry, which will lead to further delays on the road.
Specialist teams will also be required to deal with the fuel spillage before the carriageway can be reopened for traffic.
Surrey Police, Surrey Fire and Rescue, South East Coast Ambulance Service, National Highways Traffic Officers and contractors are on the scene.
A spokesperson for Surrey Police said: “Officers were called to the M3 between J3 and J2 shortly before 4am this morning following reports of a collision involving two lorries.
Drivers are facing long delays on the M3 this morning
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
“No injuries have been reported, and our colleagues at Surrey Fire and Rescue are leading on the clear-up of the carriageway. There are severe delays in place that will last into this morning.
“The M3 eastbound from Junction 3 (Lightwater) to Junction 2 (Thorpe) remains closed and will stay that way for some time. Two lanes to the M25 at Junction 2 are now open for vehicle access onto the M25.”
National Highways: South-East reported that traffic within the closure will be released onto the M25 as soon as possible.
Traffic maps from National Highways suggest that the event is expected to clear between 12pm and 12.15pm this afternoon.
Delays are expected to remain over the coming hours
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Normal traffic conditions are expected to return at a similar time, although this could still change as repair works and recovery are completed.
Speaking to GB News, South East Coast Ambulance Service said: “SECAmb was called at approximately 4.05am today (19/03/26), following reports of an RTC involving two HGVs on the M3 between Junction 3 and 2.
“Crews attended the scene, including a critical care paramedic, and the two drivers were assessed and treated at the scene, one for a shoulder injury, before being taken to St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey for further medical treatment.”
To help motorists in the area, National Highways has outlined a diversion route that can be used to avoid long delays.
Normal traffic conditions are not expected to return until after midday
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Road users are advised to follow the route marked with a solid diamond symbol on road signs
- Leave the M3 at Junction 3 northbound off slip
- At the roundabout, use the first exit and join the A322 Bracknell Road
- Continue for approximately 0.5 miles and pass beneath the A30
- Just beyond, join the slip road to the A30 London Road and merge with the main carriageway
- Turn left onto the A30 and follow for approximately eight miles through Sunningdale, and continue to Egham
- At the A30 Egham Bypass roundabout, use the second exit and follow the A30 to J13 of the M25
- At the J13 roundabout, take the fourth exit to join the M25 anti-clockwise
- Continue to J12 and bear left to re-join the M3 eastbound