M23 closed near Gatwick Airport for emergency resurfacing
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 J8 – where the motorway meets the M25 – to J9 Gatwick Airport to allow resurfacing to take place.
Mark Hallett, Operations Manager for National Highways in the South East, advised drivers to avoid the area if they can.
"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 and reopen the carriageway as soon as possible and thank drivers for their patience and cooperation while these significant repairs are undertaken."
Drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys and to find alternative routes where possible.
Details of the diversion route can be found here.
Notes to Editors
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.
For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:
Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) and out of hours for urgent enquiriesOption 2: North West (9am to 5.30pm)Option 3: Yorkshire and North East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 4: West Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 5: East Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 6: East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 7: South East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 8: South West (9am to 5.30pm)
