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M25 diesel spill causes 19-mile tailbacks M25 diesel spill causes 19-mile tailbacks
(40 minutes later)
A diesel spill from a lorry on the M25 has caused 19-mile tailbacks and delays of up to three hours for motorists in Surrey and Kent. Two lanes of the M25 have reopened after a diesel spill from a lorry caused 19-mile tailbacks and delays of up to three hours in Surrey and Kent.
The M25 has been closed clockwise at junction eight, the A217 for Reigate, for emergency repairs since 04:30 GMT. The motorway was closed clockwise at junction eight, the A217 for Reigate, for emergency repairs from 04:30 GMT until early afternoon.
The road has to be re-surfaced before it can reopen and is expected to stay shut until about 15:00 GMT. The remaining lanes were expected to reopen later after resurfacing.
Traffic has been queuing back into Kent and there is congestion on the M23 northbound and the M26. The Highways Agency said the hard shoulder was also damaged and would be resurfaced overnight.
Diversions are in place, but there are also delays on surrounding roads. The agency said it would also be repairing damage to the safety barrier overnight, which would require lane two of the exit sliproad to be closed.
Traffic queues backed up into Kent and there was congestion on the M23 northbound and the M26 during the closure.
Diversions were put in place but there were also delays on surrounding roads.
'Extensive spillage''Extensive spillage'
The junction had to be closed after the lorry hit a barrier and ruptured its diesel tank.The junction had to be closed after the lorry hit a barrier and ruptured its diesel tank.
A Highways Agency spokeswoman said: "The lorry spilled fuel on the central carriageway. There was an extensive spillage. A Highways Agency spokeswoman said: "The lorry spilled fuel on the central carriageway. There was an extensive spillage."
"We are doing all we can to clear this up as quickly as possible. The junction is unlikely to be fully operational before 3pm and we are advising road users to avoid the area if possible. Road users were advised to avoid the area where possible.
"We have alerted Gatwick about the problem as well as the port of Dover and also Eurotunnel at Folkestone. Gatwick was alerted about the problem as well as the port of Dover and also Eurotunnel at Folkestone.
"We are using message signs to alert drivers about the incident." For the latest information on the M25 go to href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/" >BBC Travel News
For the latest information on the M25 go to BBC Travel News