Brentwood, Essex – M25 Chaos Continues as Crash Aftermath Sparks Lengthy Delays

Published on February 26, 2026

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Commuters and travellers using the M25 around Junction 28 (A12, Brentwood) and Junction 27 (M11 interchange) are still facing slower journeys after a serious lorry collision earlier this week triggered emergency response, power-line safety checks and ongoing roadside repairs. The disruption has been most noticeable on approaches from Junction 29 (A127) toward Junction 28, where stop-start traffic has continued during peak periods.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, when a crash involving two lorries led to extensive barrier damage and brought down power lines, prompting closures and emergency works.

What Happened on the M25 Near Brentwood

Emergency services were called after the collision on the M25 between Junction 28 and Junction 27. Essex County Fire and Rescue recorded the incident time as 10:58am on 24 February 2026, noting that power cables were brought down during the collision, which required the scene to be made safe before full recovery could progress.

As the incident developed, the motorway was closed in both directions for a period to allow engineers to assess and manage the risk from the affected power infrastructure, while traffic officers and police supported scene safety and traffic management.

Why Delays Are Continuing

Although lanes reopened later on Tuesday afternoon, the crash left behind infrastructure damage that cannot be repaired instantly. Essex Fire updates showed that, once the anti-clockwise carriageway reopened, two lanes remained closed for ongoing clear-up work.

Separately, travel reports have continued to point to barrier repair work as a key reason for ongoing restrictions on the affected stretch, which is why drivers have experienced lingering congestion even after the immediate emergency phase ended.

What This Means for Travellers

Business travel impact

For business travellers heading toward Stansted via the M11, or connecting to London via the M25/A12 corridor, the continuing lane restrictions can mean:

• Longer and less predictable journey times
• Higher risk of missed meeting start times and rail/air connections
• Knock-on delays for delivery schedules and service calls

Corporate travellers are advised to build buffer time into journeys and consider flexible meeting start windows when travel includes the J27–J29 segment.

Leisure and tourist impact

For holidaymakers and day-trippers, the disruption affects access routes to:

• Essex towns and shopping/leisure areas off the A12 and A127
• London orbital connections for outbound trips
• Airport runs where timing is tight

Tourists driving rental cars should also expect heavier traffic during school-run hours and traditional commuter peaks.

Key Points for Drivers

• Collision involved two lorries on Tuesday, 24 February
• The crash damaged roadside barriers and brought down power lines/cables
• The motorway was closed in both directions initially to make the scene safe
• Lanes reopened later, but lane closures continued during clean-up/repair phases
• Drivers should expect slower journeys, especially near J29 (A127) to J28 (A12) during peaks (traffic conditions vary by time of day)

Step-by-Step Guidance for Planning a Journey Through This Area

1. Check live status before leaving
   Use official road operator updates and your sat-nav’s live traffic layer before committing to the M25.
2. Time-shift if possible
   If travel is flexible, avoid the heaviest peaks (early morning and late afternoon).
3. Build contingency time
   For airports, appointments, or timed tickets, add a buffer that accounts for stop-start traffic.
4. Consider parallel alternatives
   Depending on origin/destination, routes using parts of the A12, A127, A414, or M11 may be practical—sat-nav will usually select the best option based on live flow.
5. Follow lane discipline early
   Where a lane is closed, merge in good time and avoid last-second lane changes near cones/barriers.

Traveller Tips to Reduce Stress

• Airport runs: aim to arrive earlier than usual and monitor traffic again halfway through the trip.
• Coach and tour operators: update pick-up times and notify passengers of the likelihood of delays.
• Families: keep water/snacks accessible in case traffic stalls.
• EV drivers: avoid running low on charge when routing around the M25 during peak congestion.