Huge delays on M25 as 'watermelon spillage' causes miles of queues
Traffic camera images shared by the National Highways show road workers clearing up a big patch of mess on a stretch of the road.
A "spillage of watermelons" caused a four-mile standstill on the M25 this morning (August 16) as lanes on the road were blocked off. The traffic was at J31 A1306, near Lakeside Shopping Centre, heading towards the Dartford Crossing.
The spillage took place on the M25 clockwise with traffic cameras showing extensive delays for motorists.
Traffic camera images shared by National Highways showed vehicles restricted to lane three as road workers appear to be clearing up the mess using brushes while they wait for a requested road sweeper.
According to National Highways East, all lanes have now reopened past the spillage at J31 on the M25 clockwise while on the entry slip road, one lane remains closed.
The latest National Highways incident update read: "All lanes have reopened past the scene on the #M25 clockwise within J31 @DartCharge following the earlier spillage of watermelons.
"Lane 1 (of 2) currently remains closed on the entry slip road. Residual delays are clearing quickly."
The organisation first announced the incident at 9.38 am, sharing a statement on social media.
It said a road sweeper had been requested to clear the spillage and warned of 20-minute delays that soon became 30 minutes.
The traffic monitoring website INRIX said congestion, caused by the lane closures, was restricted to a couple of miles from J29 (A127 Romford) and for a mile on the London-bound A13 past Thurrock.
INCIDENT
— National Highways: East (@HighwaysEAST) August 15, 2023
The #M25 is currently held clockwise within J31 @DartCharge due to a spillage of watermelons.
A road sweeper has been requested to clear the spillage.
Traffic is building on approach, currently adding 20 minutes to journey times.#GreaterLondon #Essex #Dartford pic.twitter.com/vtB62eNXAZ