Motorists are experiencing significant disruptions on a bustling highway due to a huge fire involving a lorry carrying lithium batteries that erupted in flames.
Commuters have been cautioned that it will take several hours before the situation returns to normal on the eastbound M3 between junctions J4 and J3 in Surrey. The motorway remains shut this afternoon, resulting in extensive delays.
According to Surrey Fire and Rescue services, the incident occurred with a 15-meter trailer transporting mixed electrical waste, including lithium batteries.
Drivers are reminded to follow the Solid Diamond diversion symbol displayed on road signs. An AA travel alert reports road closure and heavy traffic due to a truck fire on the M3 London-bound from J4 A331 to J3 A322, causing congestion up to J4A.
National Highways has announced that the M3 closure is expected to last for “several hours” as a complex operation is underway to safely remove the lithium batteries from the lorry fire.
The agency stated, “The operation to deal with the lorry fire, which involves lithium batteries, between J4 Farnborough & J3 Woking on the M3 eastbound remains ongoing.”
Motorists are advised of delays of up to 45 minutes on the M3 eastbound in Surrey following the early morning lorry fire.
National Highways has indicated that the incident may not be resolved until around 1 pm, with normal traffic conditions expected to resume by 2 pm.
Traffic was initially stopped while firefighters tackled the fire, which was contained within the trailer before reigniting, prompting a full closure of the road.
The M3 eastbound between J4 Farnborough and J3 Woking is currently closed, causing slow-moving traffic along the affected stretch.
A significant lorry fire occurred on the M3 before 7 am, leading to emergency services responding to the scene to extinguish the blaze, resulting in long delays.
Surrey Police are present, and a diversion route has been established, but delays persist on the motorway.
