This afternoon, commuters faced a nightmare on the A23 Southbound as a vehicle caught fire, resulting in the closure of all southbound lanes near the Handcross slip road. The West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WFRS) swiftly responded, dispatching crews from Crawley Fire to the scene.

WFRS issued a statement urging travellers to exercise caution, stating, “Our crews are currently tackling a vehicular fire on the A23 Southbound. Due to safety concerns, all southbound lanes are closed, leading to significant delays. We advise motorists to allow extra time for their journeys and to seek alternate routes if possible.”

The Automobile Association (AA) reported staggering delays, with wait times stretching beyond 90 minutes at one point. Reports indicate that traffic came to a standstill for over an hour, causing frustration among commuters.

Highways Southeast took proactive measures by closing the road at M23 Junction 11 to divert all traffic away from the affected area. Despite efforts to clear the debris and facilitate recovery, the closure remains in place as cleanup operations continue.

In an attempt to alleviate congestion, authorities are permitting traffic to pass the scene using lane 3, although delays are expected to persist until the situation is fully resolved. Motorists are advised to stay updated on the situation and plan their journeys accordingly to avoid further disruption.