M3: 'Severe crash' involving two HGVs closes motorway - commuters in Surrey facing long delays

Commuters are facing long delays after a 'severe' crash involving two HGVs on the M3 near London. The eastbound carriageway of the motorway, in Surrey, is closed between junction 3 Bagshot Interchange (Woking, Bracknell, Lightwater A322) and junction 2 Thorpe Interchange (Gatwick Airport (M23); Heathrow Airport (M4); The NORTH (M1); Dartford (M20); Chertsey (A320); Staines (A30; M25).

National Highways said one of the vehicles "struck a gantry following the collision", while the other has "sustained a ruptured fuel tank, resulting in a substantial spillage of diesel across the carriageway".

Surrey Police, Surrey Fire & Rescue, South East Coast Ambulance Service, National Highways Traffic Officers and contractors are on scene, a spokesperson added.

M3 diversion route

• Drivers are now being diverted via a route marked with diamond symbols signs and told to:
• 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 8 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.

"If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time," the spokesperson added. "Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.