The M23 has been shut on the approach to Gatwick airport due to a “police-led incident”.
Six-mile queues of traffic formed following the incident between junctions nine and eight from about 7am.
The northbound carriageway was reopened just after 8am but motorists trying to get to Gatwick from the M25 are still facing long delays.
In an update this afternoon Surrey Police said two lanes had reopened southbound but the other two remained closed.
The force have said they were called to “a concern for safety” just after 6am and officers remain at the scene.
Follow the latest updates below...
Delays set to continue for hours
17:22 , Matt WattsNormal traffic conditions are expected between 10pm and 10.15pm, according to a traffic bulletin on the National Highways website.
There are currently delays of 15 minutes against expected traffic , it states.
Diversions and congestion continues on the M23
16:46 , Nuray BulbulDelays continue on the M23 but should lighten further into the evening.
How long is the M23?
16:23 , Nuray BulbulM23 runs from the south of Hooley in Surrey, where it splits from the A23, to Pease Pottage, south of Crawley in West Sussex where it rejoins the A23.
M23 southbound: Lane 1 and 2 still closed
16:03 , Nuray BulbulLane 1 and 2 of M23 southbound remain closed into the late afternoon.
Northbound carriageway fully open
15:46 , Nuray BulbulAccording to the National Highways, the traffic jams may last until 7pm.
The northbound carriageway is now completely open as well as two lanes southbound.
Two other lanes remain closed southbound.
What alternative routes can I take if I need to get to Gatwick Airport?
15:32 , Nuray BulbulDetours can be taken via the smaller, local roads surrounding Gatwick, such as those that lead to neighbouring villages like Crawley and Horley.
A217 and A281 can be used for drivers coming from the west or east, though they are more prone to congestion during peak times.
To find the best route given the present conditions, it is strongly advised to consult live traffic reports or make use of navigation apps that offer real-time updates.
A217 and A281 also experiencing increased traffic
15:19 , Nuray BulbulTraffic on a number of minor local roads, such as the A217 and A281, has also increased.
For drivers attempting to get around the M23 closure, these routes are fewer suitable options because they are frequently winding and narrower.
Drivers need up to 45 minutes to go through diversion route
15:07 , Nuray BulbulDue to the closure on the M23, National Highways has established an 18-mile diversion.
According to Google Maps, drivers would need 45 minutes to make the diversion between Leatherhead and Horley under the current traffic conditions.
When are conditions estimated to return to normal?
14:51 , Nuray BulbulAccording to Traffic England, normal traffic conditions on the M23 southbound between junctions J8 and J9 on Lanes 1 and 2 are estimated to return to normal between 5.45pm and 6pm.
Driver shares experience on the M23 amid delays
14:38 , Nuray BulbulA user has taken to social media to share her experience on the delays.
She wrote: “Took me 1 hour 35 minutes to do 8 miles.”
Lanes 3 and 4 now open on the M23 between junctions 8 and 9
14:27 , Nuray BulbulSurrey Police have issued an update on Facebook confirming two lanes are now open: “Lanes 3 and 4 are now open on the M23 southbound between junctions 8 and 9.
“Lanes 1 and 2 remain closed. The northbound carriageway was reopened shortly after 8am.”
Gatwick Express will be busier than usual
14:21 , Nuray BulbulGatwick Express today will be impacted and much busier than normal as both London Underground and M23 congestion will force commuters to use the service.
When was the incident first reported?
13:50 , Nuray BulbulThe incident was reported around 6.20am.
An AA alert on the M23 incident reads: “Road closed and severe delays due to serious police incident on M23 Southbound from J8 M25 to J9 (Gatwick Airport).
“Congestion to both sides on the M25, north from J10a (Crawley), and both ways on the A22 and A23 diversion routes. Traffic held since 06:20, North...”
Police responding to 'a concern for safety'
13:42 , Matt WattsSurrey Police have provided a statement on the ongoing incident that is causing major disruption on the M23.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Police were called to a concern for safety on the M23 between junctions 8 and 9 just after 6am this morning (10 September).
“Officers are still on scene, and the road is currently closed southbound.
“The northbound carriageway was reopened shortly after 8am.”
Seven mile queues
13:25 , Nuray BulbulOn the approach to the M23 towards Gatwick, traffic on the M25 is seven miles long in both directions, according to traffic monitoring site Inrix.
Inrix said: “Long delays and queueing traffic for seven miles due to an incident on the M23 towards Gatwick, on M25 in both directions at J7 M23. Congestion to Clacket Lane Services before J6 (Godstone), about 20 minutes, and halfway back to J9 (Leatherhead) taking 40 minutes.”
Delays of up to 45 minutes
13:00 , Nuray BulbulThe M25 remains congested in both directions, while the A22 and A23 diversion roads are also congested in both directions.
Inrix has said: “Long delays due to the M23 closure towards Gatwick, on M25 anticlockwise from J9 A243 (Leatherhead) to J6 A22 (Godstone). Travel time is 45 minutes. Only slow past the junctions going clockwise.”
Delays to continue into the afternoon
12:34 , Nuray BulbulHeavy traffic conditions are anticipated to remain until mid-afternoon, according toTraffic England.
“Normal traffic conditions are expected between 15:45 and 16:00 on 10 September 2025.”
M23 still closed southbound
12:20 , Nuray BulbulM23 is still closed southbound and there are delays of 30 minutes on the M25.
National Highways stated on X: “The #M23 remains CLOSED southbound between #J8 #Redhilll and J9 #GatwickAirport due to a Police Led Incident.
“Traffic caught up within the closure is being released past the scene in lane 4 There are 30 min delays on the #M25 anti-clockwise within J8.”
Where else is experiencing delays?
11:53 , Nuray BulbulThe M23 closure is causing further delays into Copthorne, Felbridge, and East Grinstead.
Due to drivers rerouting, AA has reported sluggish traffic on A22 London Road in both directions between M25 J6 (Godstone) to Standen Close.
Delays on Duke's Head Westbound between A264 and M23 (Crawley) are also getting worse and is also creating delays in East Grinstead, Copthorne, and Felbridge.
Due to drivers rerouting, AA has reported sluggish traffic on A22 London Road in both directions between M25 J6 (Godstone) to Standen Close.
Delays on Duke's Head Westbound between A264 and M23 (Crawley) are also getting worse.
Driver been waiting since 6.20am
11:35 , Nuray BulbulA driver said on social media: “Been here since around 6.20am, the police have just walked down the motorway saying something along the lines of ‘remain in your vehicle, we are looking to open lane 4 on the northbound carriage way’ I am guessing to turn us around he was walking and talking so couldn’t quiet make it out 100% as I was in my car.”
Police still at the scene of incident
11:13 , Nuray BulbulPolice officers are still said to be at the scene of the M23 northbound following an incident at around 6am this morning.
Leave extra time to make journey warns Gatwick Airport
11:03 , Nuray BulbulA spokesperson for Gatwick Airport has said: “Passengers driving to London Gatwick are advised to leave more to time to reach the airport this morning due to the M23 being closed southbound due to an ongoing police incident. Diversions are in place.”
Surrey Police has been contacted for more information
10:55 , Nuray BulbulThe Standard has contacted Surrey Police for more information on the nature of the incident. This live blog will continue to be updated while waiting to hear back.
M23 remains closed southbound between J8 and J9 due to a police led incident
10:42 , Nuray BulbulThe M23 remains closed southbound between J8 and J9 due to a police led incident, according to the National Highways.
The #M23 remains CLOSED southbound between #J8 #Redhilll and J9 #GatwickAirport due to a Police Led Incident.
— National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) September 10, 2025
Traffic caught up within the closure is being released past the scene in lane 4
There are 50 min delays on the #M25 anti-clockwise between J9 and J8. pic.twitter.com/sHqz5CAcAd
Delays increase to 48 minutes
10:30 , Nuray BulbulAA has reported 48-minute delays on the southbound carriageway of the M23.
Diversions driver should be aware of
10:22 , Nuray BulbulAt J9 (Leatherhead), traffic is rerouted from the M25 to the southbound A243.
- Take the second leave onto the A24 at the next roundabout (Knoll Roundabout) and continue driving towards Horsham.
- Take the first exit onto the A264 at the Great Daux Roundabout.
- Proceed along the A264 until you reach the M23 J11 (Pease Pottage Interchange).
- Traffic from London Gatwick Airport will enter the M23 northbound and leave at J9.
If you are travelling clockwise traffic is diverted from the M25 at J6 (Godstone).
- Exit at J6 on to the A22 southbound Remain on the A22 travelling towards Felbridge.
- Turn right on to the A264 towards M23 J10 (Crawley Interchange)
- London Gatwick Airport traffic will enter the M23 northbound and exit at J9.
When are normal conditions expected to return?
10:13 , Nuray BulbulThere are still delays of around 30 minutes around Gatwick Airport’s exit.
Normal conditions are now expected to return between 10.30 and 11am.
Pictures show traffic at a standstill on M23
10:08 , Jacob PhillipsPictures of the incident on Wednesday morning show the motorway taped off with the emergency services at the scene.
Two police cars could be seen helping to stop traffic on the busy route.
Four lanes of blocked traffic could be seen near the cordoned off area.
Traffic building following M23 incident
09:53 , Jacob PhillipsA large section of the motorway has been shut off due to the incident on the M23, the latest travel data shows.
Traffic appears to be building from outside Gatwick Airport all the way up to the M25.
Data site Inrix has warned that in the worst spots there is around a 40-minute wait for motorists.
Long tailbacks following incident on motorway near Gatwick Airport
09:50 , Jacob PhillipsSix miles of traffic have built up on the M23 near Gatwick Airport due to a police incident.
An incident took place on the busy motorway between junctions eight and nine at about 7am on Wednesday morning.
The northbound carriageway was reopened just after 8am but motorists trying to get to Gatwick from the M25 are still facing long delays.
