THE M25 is closed clockwise between Junction 29 (Romford) and Junction 30 (Thurrock) due to a collision that happened just before 1pm this afternoon (Friday, 26 February) and is expected to remain closed for some time for a clear up operation.

Latest estimates are the road is expected to clear between 10.45 and 11pm and normal traffic conditions are expected between 15 minutes after that. At 6.3-pm there were delays of 20 minutes against expected traffic.

An official diversion route is taking people to the A128 and through Thurrock back to the motorway via the A13 - which is expected lead to local congestion.

A lorry collided with the safety barrier and caught fire. Essex Fire & Rescue are on scene and advise it will take some time for the vehicle to be safe to be recovered as it was transporting a load of coal.

A statement from Essex Fore says:" Firefighters were called to the clockwise side of the motorway, just before Junction 30 (A13), and found an articulated lorry completely alight.

"The lorry had shed its load, about 20 tons of granulated coal, of which about 10 per cent was also alight.

"Crews extinguished the fire by 1.50pm and left the scene in the care of the police and Highways England."

Road users caught within the closure were released.

There are long delays in excess of 30 minutes on approach to the closure with approximately seven miles of slow moving traffic, with additional delays on the diversion route and other local roads in the area.

Policed are advising motorists to avoid the area if possible.