‘People will miss flights from Stansted’ after overturned lorry shuts down M11
Holidaymakers are at risk of missing their flights after an overturned lorry closed the M11 near London Stansted Airport.
Drivers are facing long delays as the motorway has been closed in both directions after a lorry crossed the central reservation before overturning at around 4.30pm.
Emergency services are on the scene at Junction 8 near Stansted and Bishop’s Stortford.
Roads policing head Adam Pipe told the BBC: ‘Clearly, people are going to be missing their flights’.
The road is expected to remain closed through the night.
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Some motorists say the traffic hasn’t budged for hours.
One user on X said: ‘How can people be left in their cars for over four hours with no sign of anything happening.
‘Understandable that an accident has happened but you can turn cars around near the junctions. People have children and dogs. No shade and no water left.’
According to the National Highways website, the incident is expected to be cleared by 1.45am tomorrow morning on the southbound carriageway.
Normal traffic is expected to resume on the northbound carriageway by 11.30pm.
National Highways said: ‘The M11 in Essex is closed in both directions between J8 near Stansted Airport and J7A near Harlow North due to a serious collision involving an overturned heavy goods vehicle which has crossed from the northbound carriageway onto the southbound carriageway and has subsequently overturned and come to rest on its side.
‘Essex police will be carrying out collision investigations throughout the evening.’
Essex Police said: ‘Please avoid the area if you can and find alternative routes.’
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