A nine-mile stretch of the M23 has been closed this afternoon Wednesday 4 December) after a lorry fire this morning.
National Highways, the government agency which maintains motorways and main roads, said that emergency resurfacing was under way.
Drivers were facing long delays and diversions as the evening rush hour started and were being urged to avoid the area if possible.
The road closure caused tailbacks on the M25 and in south London, affecting thousands of people heading back to Sussex from work and to Gatwick for flights.
National Highways said: “Drivers are being warned to allow extra time to travel after the southbound M23 near junction 9 and Gatwick Airport was closed this afternoon for emergency resurfacing work which is expected to run into the evening.
“This follows a serious HGV fire at around 5am this morning.
“The fire has been brought under control but the blaze, combined with a large diesel spillage, has caused severe damage across all four lanes of the carriageway.
“Just before 4pm this afternoon, all four southbound lanes were closed between junction 8 – where the motorway meets the M25 – to junction 9 Gatwick Airport to allow resurfacing to take place.”
National Highways operations manager for the south east, Mark Hallett, advised drivers to avoid the area if possible.
He said: “The spillage has caused substantial damage across the carriageway which means it is not safe to drive on until the resurfacing has been completed.
“We appreciate this is a direct route to Gatwick Airport and a busy part of the strategic road network and understand the inconvenience and disruption caused.
“We are working hard to try to reopen the carriageway as soon as possible and thank drivers for their patience and co-operation while these significant repairs are undertaken.”
National Highways added: “Drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys and to find alternative routes where possible.”
