Commuters face severe disruption this morning after a serious multi-vehicle collision forced the closure of a major stretch of the A2, one of the key routes in and out of London. Emergency services are on the scene and the road has been shut for several hours,triggering lengthy delays,diversions,and congestion across surrounding routes.
Police have urged drivers to avoid the area as traffic builds and tailbacks grow, with some motorists reportedly stuck for extended periods. Public transport and choice roads are also experiencing increased pressure as travellers seek other ways to complete their journeys.
This live blog will bring you the latest updates as they happen,including official statements from authorities,details on the road closure and diversion routes,public transport impact,and the developing traffic situation across London and the wider region.
Timeline of the A2 closure and latest official updates from emergency services
Emergency services first received reports of a serious multi-vehicle collision on the London-bound carriageway shortly before 6:15am,with witnesses describing a “domino effect” crash involving several cars and a van. Within minutes, police units, paramedics and fire crews were dispatched, and by 6:30am officers had implemented a rolling roadblock to halt traffic and allow responders to reach the scene safely. By 7:00am, the stretch between key junctions had been fully shut, prompting the first wave of rush-hour tailbacks and diversions onto surrounding local roads. Live traffic cameras captured long queues forming in both directions, while transport operators began issuing warnings of “severe congestion” and advising drivers to delay non-essential journeys.
Throughout the morning, officials used social media channels and live radio bulletins to release incremental updates, stressing that the closure was likely to remain in place for “several hours” while collision investigators worked alongside recovery teams. According to the most recent statements from police and ambulance services, all those injured have been treated or taken to hospital, with no confirmed fatalities at this time. Motorists are being urged to follow signed diversions and avoid attempting U-turns in stationary queues. Authorities have highlighted the following key points so far:
- Police: Scene secured, forensic collision unit on site, witnesses asked to come forward.
- Ambulance: Multiple patients assessed at the roadside, some transported for further care.
- Fire service: Vehicles made safe, fuel spills contained, ongoing support to recovery crews.
- Highways teams: Debris clearance and barrier checks under way before any phased reopening.
| Time | Update | Official Source |
|---|---|---|
| 6:15am | Initial crash reported | 999 call handlers |
| 6:30am | First units on scene | Met Police |
| 7:00am | Full closure confirmed | Highways Authority |
| 8:00am | Serious collision examination launched | Road Policing Unit |
| 9:15am | Injuries updated, no fatalities reported | London Ambulance Service |
Impact on commuter routes alternative roads to avoid severe congestion
Motorists heading into and out of London during the evening rush are facing long tailbacks, with traffic queueing for several miles in both directions around the closure point. Bus services that rely on the A2 corridor are being rerouted, adding extra time to already extended journeys, while local roads through Bexleyheath, Eltham and Greenwich are seeing heavier-than-normal flows as drivers abandon their usual straight run into the capital. Commuters are being urged to allow significantly more time, check live travel apps, and consider delaying non-essential trips until the scene is fully cleared.
Transport planners and police are advising drivers to divert onto parallel arterial routes where possible, and to use public transport links into central London if they are within reach. Key options include the A20 and A13 for longer-distance traffic, and a patchwork of borough roads for more local journeys. Below are some of the main alternatives currently coping with displaced traffic:
- A20 via Sidcup and Lee Green, offering a southern bypass into south-east London.
- A13 for traffic from Kent and Essex heading towards Docklands and the City.
- South Circular (A205) for cross-London movements avoiding the worst of the A2 queues.
- Rail and DLR services from Dartford, Woolwich and Lewisham into central London as car-free options.
| Route | Use Instead Of | Current Impact |
|---|---|---|
| A20 | A2 westbound | Busy, moving |
| A13 | A2 eastbound | Moderate delays |
| Local Bexley routes | Short A2 hops | Heavier traffic |
| Rail/DLR | Car commute | Running to timetable |
What witnesses and local residents are reporting from the scene
People living along the busy stretch of the A2 say they first realised something was wrong when they heard a series of “metallic bangs” followed by the sound of car alarms echoing across nearby estates. Several residents told our reporter that within minutes,the usually fast‑moving carriageway ground to a halt,with drivers abandoning their vehicles to check on others and direct traffic away from the wreckage. A local shopkeeper described watching a “wave of brake lights” roll back along the road and said parents walking home from nearby schools hurried their children away from the roadside as sirens grew louder.
Eyewitnesses stuck in the tailbacks have shared accounts of a chaotic but resolute response from motorists and passers‑by, with some grabbing first‑aid kits from their cars while others used torches to signal approaching vehicles to slow down. Those who live closest to the junction say the disruption is among the worst they have seen on this route in years, with many reporting that side streets and residential roads are now heavily congested as drivers try to divert around the closure.
- Drivers report standstill traffic “for as far as the eye can see”.
- Residents say emergency vehicles have been arriving “one after another”.
- Commuters are abandoning planned journeys and seeking alternative routes.
- Parents in nearby streets have kept children indoors due to the traffic build‑up.
| Location | What locals say |
|---|---|
| Nearby estate | Heard “multiple loud crashes” and sirens within minutes |
| Service road | Cars using it as an informal diversion, causing gridlock |
| Local shops | Afternoon trade disrupted as customers struggle to reach area |
Travel advice for drivers using the A2 how to plan your journey for the rest of the day
With the A2 shut for several hours following the collision, motorists are being urged to rethink their schedules rather than simply sit in queues. Check live traffic maps and local radio before setting off, and consider adjusting meeting times or working remotely if possible. Where diversions are in place, allow at least 30-60 minutes of extra time and be prepared for slower speeds on rural routes. If you must drive, make sure your vehicle has enough fuel for prolonged delays, keep water and snacks in the car, and charge your phone fully in case navigation apps need constant use.
Those able to postpone non-essential journeys this afternoon are strongly advised to do so, easing pressure on already stretched diversion routes. For drivers who must travel, planning a clear route and backup options is crucial:
- Use real-time navigation to avoid secondary congestion hotspots.
- Switch to trains or coaches where practical, especially for London-bound commutes.
- Avoid rat-runs through residential streets to reduce risks and further disruption.
- Schedule rest breaks at service areas if you’ve already been stuck in traffic for a long time.
| Time of day | Suggested action |
|---|---|
| Next 2 hours | Delay departure; monitor official updates |
| Afternoon peak | Consider public transport or remote arrangements |
| Evening | Travel only if essential; stick to signed diversions |
Future Outlook
Traffic on the A2 is expected to remain disrupted for some time as recovery work continues and investigations into the cause of the crash get under way. Drivers are being urged to avoid the area,follow diversion routes where in place,and allow extra time for their journeys through southeast London and Kent.
This concludes our live coverage of the incident. We will continue to monitor the situation and bring you further updates on the A2, and also any official statements from emergency services and local authorities, on London Now as they become available.
