London travel news LIVE: M20 closed due to multi-vehicle crash

Commuters are facing major travel disruption this morning on the M20 in Kent due to a multi-vehicle crash.

The M20 westbound is closed between junctions 9 and 8 due to a multi-vehicle traffic collision involving two cars and two lorries which occurred at around 3am.

Emergency services are on the scene and a spillage of oil, fuel, coolant and hydraulic fluid across the carriageway is being treated and there is also damage to the central reservation barrier.

The event is expected to clear by 11.00, but traffic is currently being diverted away from the closed road.

First Bus services will be impacted by strike action from today until 5am on Saturday 30 August. Little or no service is expected on First Buses and local buses that are not directly affected by strikes are expected to be busier than normal.

Meanwhile, the Central line is part closed between Hainault and Newbury Park and Hainault and Woodford due to planned engineering work. There are limited daytime rail replacement buses.

There are severe delays on the Bakerloo line due to train cancellations. London buses, Lioness line and Thameslink are accepting tickets.

Follow the latest updates below...

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Liverpool Street incident cleared

09:52 , Charlotte Ambrose

Trains are now running normally following major delays and disruption caused by a broken rail at Liverpool Street station.

Part suspensions and delays on London Tram

09:50 , Charlotte Ambrose

The Tram is part suspended between East Croydon and Sandilands due to a broken down bus on the track at Lebanon Road.

There are minor delays on the rest of the line.

Ambulance service confirms no injuries in M20 multi-vehicle crash

09:49 , Charlotte Ambrose

A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service which operates in Kent confirmed there were no injuries in the multi-vehicle crash on the M20 this morning.

The collision involved two cars and two lorries.

The M20 is still closed westbound between Ashford (junction 9) and Maidstone (junction 8) while debris across the carriageway and damage to the central reservation is being cleared.

Liverpool Street delay update

09:45 , Charlotte Ambrose

Services are recovering following blocked lines caused by a rail fault at Liverpool Street which has now been fixed by Network Rail.

Trains may be delayed by up to 20 minutes until around 11.00 as services recover.

Alternative travel to avoid flooded railway lines

09:34 , Charlotte Ambrose

Flooding on the railway between Gatwick Airport and Horsham means trains have to run at reduced speed on some lines.

Floodwater can wash away the stones that support the track, damage the third rail that powers trains, and affect signalling systems.

Southern and Thameslink are working with Network Rail to manage the impact, using pumps and flood barriers where needed. Their control teams are monitoring conditions and sending staff to affected areas as quickly as possible.

Trains running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 30 minutes or revised as a result.

Alternative ticket acceptance

You can continue to use your ticket to travel at no extra cost on:

• Alternative Thameslink and Southern trains on any reasonable route towards your destination
• South Western Railway services between Portsmouth / Southampton / Havant and London Waterloo
• Metrobus services on routes:
• 3 for Gatwick, Three Bridges, Crawley
• 10 for Crawley and Gatwick Airport
• 20 for Three Bridges, Gatwick Airport, Horley
• 100 for Redhill, Earlswood, Salfords, Horley, Gatwick, Crawley, Three Bridges
• 272 for Crawley, Three Bridges, Haywards Heath, Wivelsfield, Burgess Hill, Hassocks, Preston Park, Brighton
• 291 for Crawley, Three Bridges, East Grinstead
• 400 for Redhill, Earlswood, Salfords, Horley, Gatwick, Crawley, Three Bridges
• 420 for Reigate, Redhill (Sundays Only), Earlswood, Salfords, Gatwick, Crawley
• 460 for Reigate, Redhill, Earlswood, Salfords, Horley, Gatwick, Crawley

Central line delays resolved

09:26 , Charlotte Ambrose

Earlier delays on the Central line between North Acton and West Ruislip have been resolved.

There are no delays on the line, but there is a part closure between Hainault and Newbury Park and Hainault and Woodford due to planned engineering works.

Weaver line delays resolved

09:25 , Charlotte Ambrose

Delays on the Weaver line caused by an earlier rail fault at Liverpool Street have been resolved.

There is good service on the entire line.

Weaver line delays from Liverpool Street

09:13 , Charlotte Ambrose

There are delays on the Weaver line on trains between Liverpool Street to Cheshunt and Enfield Town due to an earlier track fault.

There is good service on the rest of the line.

M20 crash update: oil and fuel spillages being cleared

08:59 , Charlotte Ambrose

A crash involving two cars and two lorries occurred on the M20 at around 3am this morning.

A spillage of oil, fuel, coolant and hydraulic fluid across the carriageway is being treated and there is also damage to the central reservation barrier.

Emergency services are on scene. National Highways Traffic Officers are also on scene providing assistance with traffic management.

The westbound carriage remains closed.

Diversion route

Road users are advised to follow the hollow square diversion symbol on the following route:

• Leave the M20 at J9 onto Fougeres way and follow to the roundabout with the A20.
• Take the 3rd exit onto the A20 heading west.
• Follow the A20 through Charing, Lenham and Harrietsham back to the M20 J8 and rejoin the M20 westbound at J8 to continue your journey.

Flooding blocking railway at Gatwick Airport and Victoria

08:55 , Charlotte Ambrose

Flooding on the railway between Gatwick Airport and Horsham means that some lines are blocked.

Trains running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised until 11.30.

Routes impacted

Southern between London Victoria and Bognor Regis / Portsmouth Harbour

Thameslink between Peterborough and Horsham

Alternative travel to avoid London Liverpool Street disruption

08:45 , Charlotte Ambrose

Although lines have reopened following a broken rail, there is major disruption to rail services to and from Liverpool Street.

Delays of up to an hour are expected until 11.00.,

Alternative travel advice

Elizabeth line

• Tickets can be used t no extra cost on Greater Anglia services via any reasonable route.

Greater Anglia

Greater Anglia have arranged for ticket to be accepted on the following alternative options, at no extra cost:

• c2c services between Fenchurch Street and Southend Central
• Elizabeth line services between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield
• London Underground services via any reasonable routes
• Thameslink services between Cambridge and London St Pancras International
• Great Northern services between Cambridge and London Kings Cross
• Great Northern services between Hertford North and Moorgate

Severe delays of up to 50 minutes on M25 anticlockwise

08:34 , Charlotte Ambrose

Severe delays of up to 50 minutes are expected on the M25 anticlockwise between junctions 16 and 15 until 9.15.

Central line: Minor delays

08:24 , Charlotte Ambrose

There are minor delays on the Central line between North Acton and West Ruislip due to an earlier faulty train at White City.

Trains from Hainault to Newbury Park and Woodford are suspended due to planned engineering work.

Severe congestion on M25 anticlockwise between junctions 16 and 15

08:15 , Charlotte Ambrose

There is severe congestion on the M25 anticlockwise between junctions 16 and 15.

Delays of up to 20 minutes are expected until 8.30.

M20 closed due to major multi-vehicle crash

08:04 , Charlotte Ambrose

Commuters will face long delays as the M20 is closed due to a multi-vehicle collision.

Part of the M20 in Kent is closed between junctions 9 and 8 going westbound.

All lanes are closed and the event is expected to be cleared by 10.00.

Weaver line reopened

07:53 , Charlotte Ambrose

The Weaver line has reopened following a part suspension between Hackney Downs and London Liverpool Street due to a broken rail.

As a result of the fault, there are severe delays across the entire line.

Lines reopened at London Liverpool Street

07:50 , Charlotte Ambrose

Lines have reopened following a closure caused by a broken rail at London Liverpool Street.

As services recover, trains running to and from the station may still be cancelled, revised, or severely delayed by up to 60 minutes until around 11.00.

Elizabeth line, London Overground, Stansted Express and Greater Anglia trains are impacted.

2,000 London United drivers expected to strike in London

07:46 , Charlotte Ambrose

Around 2,000 bus drivers are expected to take industrial action on planned First Bus strikes in London happening today and on Monday 1 September until Tuesday 2 September.

Around 7,500 members of Unite are striking or balloting to strike across the country including in major cities Bristol, Manchester and Cardiff.

This comes as many children are expected to return to school on Monday.

Congestion on M25 clockwise entry slip at junction 19

07:40 , Charlotte Ambrose

There is moderate congestion on the M25 clockwise entry slip at junction 19.

Delays of up to 10 minutes are expected against traffic until around 7.45.

First Bus strikes today

07:31 , Charlotte Ambrose

Strikes are planned on bus services operated by First Bus across west, northwest and southwest London from today until 5am on Saturday 30 August.

Little or no service is expected on affected routes.

Local buses that are not directly affected by strikes are expected to be busier than normal.

Routes impacted

13, 18, 23, 31, 33, 49, 65, 70, 71, 72, 85, 94, 105, 110, 116, 117, 148, 203, 216, 218, 220, 224, 235, 272, 281, 283, 290, 293, 295, 371, 406, 411, 418, 419, 423, 440, 452, 467, 681, C1, E3, H22, H37, H98, K1, K2, K3, K4, K5

N33, N13, N18, N23, N31, N65, N72, N85, N94, N105, N148, N220, N281 and N295

Expected delays at London Liverpool Street extended until 11.00

07:24 , Charlotte Ambrose

National Rail has said major disruption and delays at London Liverpool Street is now expected until 11 - two and a half hours longer than originally anticipated.

Rail disruption between Redbridge and Romsey expected until 10.00

07:20 , Charlotte Ambrose

A tree blocking the railway between Romsey and Redbridge means some lines are blocked between these stations.

As a result, trains may be cancelled or revised until 10.00.

South Western Railway have been informed about the issue and have specialist teams en route to deliver support to the incident.

Routes impacted by London Liverpool Street disruption

07:13 , Charlotte Ambrose

A broken rail at London Liverpool Street means some lines are blocked.

As a result, trains running to and from this station may be cancelled, severely delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.

Routes impacted

Elizabeth line between Heathrow Terminal 5 / London Liverpool Street and Shenfield, and also between London Liverpool Street and Gidea Park

Greater Anglia between London Liverpool Street and Hertford East / Southend Victoria / Southminster / Witham / Braintree / Colchester / Colchester Town / Clacton-on-Sea / Walton-on-the-Naze / Stansted Airport / Ipswich / Harwich International / Harwich Town / Cambridge / Cambridge North / Ely / Norwich

London Overground between London Liverpool Street and Chingford / Enfield Town / Cheshunt

Stansted Express between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport

Weaver line services between Hackney Downs and London Liverpool Street