M11 Motorway Delays Near Stansted Airport Due to Multiple Collisions

Several crashes on the M11 near Stansted Airport have caused major traffic jams. This is worse than usual for this route.
By Newsroom | Transport, UK |

Several incidents on the M11 motorway near Stansted Airport have caused significant travel disruption, leading to road closures and substantial delays. Reports indicate a series of collisions, involving at least one car and one van colliding with the central reservation barrier. These events have necessitated lane closures and, in some instances, full motorway shutdowns in both directions.

M11 Essex closure LIVE: Motorway near Stansted Airport closed after two separate crashes - 1

The M11, a key route serving Stansted Airport and connecting to the M25, has experienced repeated closures. Evidence points to a pattern of accidents occurring in proximity to the airport, impacting northbound and southbound traffic. The severity of these incidents has led to extended clean-up operations and repairs to the motorway's central reservation.

M11 Essex closure LIVE: Motorway near Stansted Airport closed after two separate crashes - 2

Series of Incidents on M11

Reports detail multiple separate collisions along the M11, primarily in the vicinity of Stansted Airport.

M11 Essex closure LIVE: Motorway near Stansted Airport closed after two separate crashes - 3

  • February 21, 2025: The M11 was closed southbound between Junction 7 (Harlow) and Junction 6 (for the M25). National Highways reported that a car and a van had collided with the central reservation barrier in separate incidents. Lanes two and three remained closed in both directions for clean-up and barrier repairs. Lane one was reported to be open on both northbound and southbound routes.

  • March 31, 2025: The M11 experienced a closure northbound near Stansted Airport, between Junction 8 (Stansted Airport) and Junction 10 (Duxford). This incident involved a lorry accident. One lane was reopened between these junctions.

  • February 13, 2025: The M11 was closed in both directions between Junction 8 (near Stansted Airport) and Junction 7A (Harlow) following a collision reported around 05:10 GMT. Essex Police were present at the scene.

  • July 25, 2025: Two crashes on the M11 between Junction 8 and Junction 9 led to significant congestion, with reports of 8 miles of queues northbound and 4 miles southbound. Despite emergency services attending, no injuries or fatalities were reported for this specific incident.

Impact on Travel

The closures and delays on the M11 have a direct bearing on travel to and from Stansted Airport.

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M11 Essex closure LIVE: Motorway near Stansted Airport closed after two separate crashes - 4

  • Congestion: Incidents have resulted in extensive traffic queues, with reports of up to seven miles of congestion in both directions.

  • Airport Access: The disruptions have raised concerns about timely access for passengers using Stansted Airport. One social media post indicated a driver was stuck in traffic, uncertain of the cause.

  • Broader Travel Issues: The M11 disruptions are noted as part of wider travel challenges, with one report mentioning ferry traffic and Port of Dover delays as contributing factors to overall UK travel strain during summer periods.

Barrier Repairs Underway

Evidence from motorway cameras shows crews actively repairing the central reservation barrier.

  • Nature of Damage: Reports consistently mention vehicles colliding with the central reservation barrier, leading to a car ending up on its side in at least one instance.

  • Operational Impact: The need for these repairs directly contributes to lane closures and extended periods of motorway shutdown, affecting traffic flow.

Official Statements

National Highways has been the primary source of official updates regarding the M11 closures.

  • Incident Reports: The agency has used platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to inform the public about ongoing incidents, including details on vehicle involvement and road conditions.

  • Closure Details: National Highways has provided specific junction numbers and directions (northbound/southbound) affected by the closures, along with updates on lane openings.

Expert Analysis

The recurring nature of these incidents near a major transport hub like Stansted Airport prompts consideration of contributing factors. While reports do not provide direct expert commentary on the specific causes of these M11 collisions, patterns suggest potential issues with:

  • Traffic Volume: The M11's role as a commuter route and gateway to Stansted Airport likely results in high traffic volumes, increasing the probability of incidents.

  • Road Design: The repeated involvement of the central reservation barrier may warrant a review of its condition or the factors leading to vehicles impacting it.

  • Driving Conditions: While not specified for each incident, adverse weather or driver behaviour could be underlying factors in such collisions.

Conclusion

The M11 motorway near Stansted Airport has experienced a series of closures and delays due to multiple, separate collisions. These events, involving vehicles colliding with the central reservation, have significantly impacted traffic flow and travel to the airport. National Highways has been actively managing the closures, facilitating clean-up, and overseeing barrier repairs. The repeated disruptions highlight the M11's vulnerability to significant traffic incidents and their cascading effect on regional travel. Further investigation into the specific causes of each collision may be warranted to identify any systemic issues contributing to these ongoing disruptions.

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Sources Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is the M11 motorway closed near Stansted Airport on February 21, 2025?
The M11 was closed southbound between Junction 7 and Junction 6 due to separate car and van collisions with the central barrier. Lanes were closed for clean-up and repairs.
Q: What happened on the M11 near Stansted Airport on March 31, 2025?
A lorry accident caused the M11 to close northbound between Junction 8 and Junction 10 near Stansted Airport. One lane was later reopened.
Q: What caused the M11 closure on February 13, 2025, near Stansted Airport?
A collision happened around 5:10 AM, closing the M11 in both directions between Junction 8 and Junction 7A. Police attended the scene.
Q: Why were there long queues on the M11 between Junction 8 and Junction 9 on July 25, 2025?
Two crashes occurred on the M11 between these junctions, causing up to 8 miles of queues northbound and 4 miles southbound. No injuries were reported for this incident.
Q: How do these M11 crashes affect travel to Stansted Airport?
The collisions cause significant traffic jams and road closures on the M11, making it difficult for passengers to reach Stansted Airport on time.
Q: What is being done about the damage on the M11 near Stansted Airport?
Crews are repairing the central reservation barrier, which has been hit multiple times by vehicles. These repairs lead to lane closures and motorway shutdowns.