Major chaos has erupted on the M11 after a goods lorry smashed through the central reservation and overturned near Stansted in Essex. The incident has forced the motorway to close in both directions between Stansted Airport and Harlow, leading to extensive gridlock and travel disruption.
The crash occurred just before 3pm near junction 8, which serves Stansted and Bishop’s Stortford. Essex Police, fire crews, and paramedics quickly responded to the scene. The M11 remains closed between junction 7 (Harlow Hastingwood) and junction 9 (A11), with long tailbacks stretching for miles and vehicles trapped on both sides of the carriageway.
Adam Pipe, head of Essex roads policing, warned that the closure is causing knock-on effects for air travellers at Stansted Airport. He said: “Clearly people are going to be missing their flights. There is trapped traffic between junction seven and eight northbound, and junction nine and eight southbound.”
He urged drivers not to leave their vehicles and walk on the hard shoulder, adding: “We will get to members of the public as quickly as we can, but please remain in your vehicles.”
National Highways has implemented diversions to help ease the congestion, but local roads and towns including Bishop’s Stortford and Great Dunmow are experiencing heavy traffic due to the increased volume. Images from Highways England show deserted sections of the motorway with cars and lorries at a standstill, particularly northbound near Stansted Airport.
The overturned lorry is currently being recovered, but no reopening time for the M11 has been confirmed. Essex Police are working alongside Highways England to safely clear stranded vehicles and restore traffic flow as soon as possible.
Drivers are strongly advised to avoid the M11 entirely, seek alternative routes, and check flight times directly with their airlines to prevent missing departures.
Originally published by UKNIP.
