M25 crash causes six-mile queues as UK braces for busiest bank holiday weekend in a decade

Key facts

• Crash involving a van on M25 clockwise between junctions J10 (Guildford) and J11 (Woking) during morning rush hour.
• Six miles of congestion and approximately 45-minute delays.
• Surrey Police and traffic officers on scene; footage shows van on central reservation with front damage.
• Anticlockwise queues stretch back towards Heathrow Airport and junction J13.
• RAC predicts 19 million trips on UK motorways and A-roads over the early May bank holiday weekend.
• Friday labelled 'Frantic Friday' with 3.7 million journeys expected; Saturday forecast to be busiest with 4 million trips.
• Worst travel times: Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-3pm, Monday 11am-6pm.

Morning rush hour collision brings M25 to a standstill

A crash involving a van on the M25 in Surrey has brought traffic to a halt during the morning commute, with queues stretching for six miles and delays of around 45 minutes, National Highways said. The collision occurred on the clockwise carriageway between junction J10 near Guildford and junction J11 near Woking. Footage from the scene shows at least one van on the central reservation with its front end smashed in. National Highways confirmed that Surrey Police and traffic officers are now on site. The anticlockwise side is also severely affected, with congestion extending back towards Heathrow Airport and junction J13.

Record bank holiday travel forecast compounds disruption

The crash comes as the UK prepares for what the RAC predicts will be the busiest early May bank holiday on the roads in a decade, with an estimated 19 million trips expected across motorways and A-roads. Friday has been dubbed 'Frantic Friday', with 3.7 million journeys anticipated as people set off for the long weekend. Saturday is forecast to be the single busiest day, with 4 million trips planned. The RAC has warned that the worst times to travel are between 11am and 7pm on Friday, 10am and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 11am to 6pm on bank holiday Monday.

Delays expected to ripple across the network

The combination of the M25 incident and the surge in holiday traffic is likely to cause widespread disruption across the South East. The anticlockwise queues already reaching towards Heathrow suggest that airport-bound travellers will face significant delays. National Highways has not yet given a timeline for clearing the scene. Motorists are advised to allow extra time or consider alternative routes. The RAC has urged drivers to check traffic updates before setting out, as the sheer volume of vehicles could lead to further incidents.

Bank holiday travel surge despite high fuel costs

The forecast of 19 million trips is notable given the current high prices of petrol and diesel, which might have been expected to dampen travel demand. Yet the RAC's prediction indicates that motorists are undeterred, with many taking advantage of the three-day weekend for leisure trips. The early May bank holiday has historically been a peak travel period, but this year's numbers are set to exceed those of the past decade. The RAC's data underscores a strong appetite for domestic travel, even as household budgets are squeezed by inflation.

Authorities urge caution as roads fill

National Highways and Surrey Police are urging drivers to exercise patience and caution, particularly in the vicinity of the crash site. With emergency services still on scene, further lane closures or temporary speed restrictions may be implemented. The RAC has emphasised that the busiest periods coincide with the times when drivers are most likely to be fatigued or rushing, increasing the risk of accidents. The organisation advises planning journeys outside peak hours where possible and taking regular breaks.

Outlook: a weekend of potential gridlock

As the M25 incident demonstrates, even a single collision can have outsized effects when the network is under maximum strain. With millions of additional vehicles expected, the margin for error is thin. The coming days will test the resilience of the UK's road infrastructure and the patience of its drivers. For now, all eyes are on the M25 Surrey corridor, where recovery operations continue. The broader picture is one of a nation on the move, determined to enjoy the holiday despite the costs and congestion.

The bottom line

• A van crash on the M25 between junctions 10 and 11 has caused six miles of queues and 45-minute delays in both directions.
• The UK is facing its busiest early May bank holiday weekend on roads in ten years, with 19 million trips predicted.
• Friday is 'Frantic Friday' with 3.7 million journeys; Saturday is expected to be the busiest day with 4 million trips.
• Worst travel times are Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-3pm, and Monday 11am-6pm.
• High fuel prices have not deterred holiday travel.
• Drivers are advised to plan ahead and check for updates as the combination of the crash and holiday traffic may cause further delays.