Motorists are experiencing significant disruptions on a busy motorway due to a major fire involving a lorry transporting lithium batteries.
Commuters have been advised that it will take several hours for the M3 eastbound between junctions J4 and J3 to return to normal. The motorway remains closed in Surrey, resulting in long delays.
According to Surrey Fire and Rescue services, the incident involved a 15-meter trailer carrying mixed electrical waste, including lithium batteries.
Road users are instructed to follow the Solid Diamond diversion symbol on road signs, as indicated by an AA travel alert reporting road closures and traffic congestion caused by a truck fire on the M3 London bound.
The M3 closure is expected to last for “several hours,” as National Highways undertakes a complex operation to safely remove the lithium batteries from the burning lorry.
National Highways has highlighted the challenges posed by the lorry fire, emphasizing the extended closure duration due to the presence of lithium batteries.
Motorists should anticipate delays of around 45 minutes on the M3 eastbound in Surrey following the early morning lorry fire.
Visibility on the M3 has been affected by the flames, leading to traffic being released past the scene in lane 4, with the eastbound closure continuing between J4 and J3.
National Highways now estimates that the incident may not be resolved until approximately 1 pm, with normal traffic conditions expected to resume by 2 pm.
Efforts are ongoing to manage traffic flow near Farnborough/Woking by redirecting vehicles through J4, although delays are anticipated due to the high volume of traffic.
The closure of the M3 eastbound between J4 Farnborough and J3 Woking remains in place, with plans to reopen the road uncertain at this time.
The disruption is visible on Google Maps, showing a sizable portion of the road affected between Bagshot and Camberley, causing slow-moving traffic.
A sizable lorry caught fire on the M3 earlier this morning, prompting emergency services to respond and work on extinguishing the blaze, resulting in ongoing delays.
Authorities are present at the scene, implementing diversion routes and addressing the long queues of vehicles on the motorway.
National Highways has posted updates for travelers, indicating traffic holds on the M3 eastbound to facilitate firefighting efforts in response to the lorry fire, with delays of up to 60 minutes reported.
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