Major Delays and M25 Service Station Closure Due to 10-Mile Oil Spill
A massive 10-mile oil spill is causing significant delays this morning, leading to the closure of a service station on the M25.
The northbound A24, from Beare Green to Leatherhead in Surrey, is shut down due to the spill, which also affects junction nine of the M25.
Approximately 16,000 litres of oil were spilled, and disruptions are expected to continue for several days, according to the local council.
For drivers looking to stop, Cobham Services on the M25 will be closed for several hours while specialist environmental teams clean up. The services are located 4.5 miles from junction nine.
Traffic monitoring site Inrix reports: “A lorry has leaked oil along the entire stretch from Beare Green to Leatherhead and onto the M25 at J9. There is also a closure in Dorking and between Beare Green and Dorking.”
Google traffic data shows the A24 is closed for 10 miles northbound, with traffic expected to build up in the area. So far, the M25 near Leatherhead remains clear of traffic.
Surrey Police advises drivers to avoid the area, stating: “Please avoid the A24 northbound between Beare Green and Leatherhead due to a significant fuel spillage. Road closures are in place, and the affected areas are likely to be closed for some time. Further updates to follow. Thanks for your patience.”
A Surrey County Council spokesperson added: “Following the diesel spillage on the A24 between Beare Green roundabout and Leatherhead M25 junction (J9), the road remains closed northbound. Surrey Highways teams are on-site making the area safe and dealing with the cleanup. Extensive traffic disruption is expected throughout today and over the coming days. Drivers are advised to avoid the area until further notice and keep an eye on Surrey Highways social media channels for regular updates.”
Ross Mendenhall, Operations Director at Extra MSA, which operates Cobham Services, said: “An HGV entered the site with a leaking fuel tank, resulting in diesel being spilled throughout the service area. Specialist environmental cleanup teams are en route and in situ. We are working as fast as we can to resolve the issue but estimate that the operation will take a few hours before we can safely reopen for vehicles.”
The A24 closure is also causing heavy traffic in and out of Dorking. Other smaller road closures are in place from the A246 Young Street to B2033 Reigate Road, from the A29 Bognor Road to the A2003 Flint Hill (Dorking), and from the A25 Reigate Road in Dorking to B2209 in Westhumble.
Drivers are also warned to expect further delays and only travel if necessary due to a planned closure on the M25 from 9pm on Friday. The motorway will be closed between junctions 10 and 11 until 6am on Monday, July 15, for the construction and installation of a bridge at junction 10. This will be the third of five full weekend closures on the M25, with the remaining two occurring later this year.
