M25 closure after car fire near Dartford strands Barnet commuters
All lanes shut between junctions 2 and 4 on 3 August 2026 caused delays of up to two hours for drivers heading to Kent
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A car fire on the M25 near Dartford closed all lanes between junctions 2 and 4 on the afternoon of 3 August 2026. National Highways confirmed the incident at 15:47, with the road fully reopened by 18:30. The closure affected drivers travelling between London and Kent, including residents of Barnet commuting to work or heading to the Channel ports.
Traffic queues stretched back for six miles, with delays of up to two hours reported by National Highways. The fire, which started in a single vehicle, was brought under control by Kent Fire and Rescue Service. No injuries were recorded, but the incident caused widespread disruption to evening travel plans.
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Impact on Barnet residents
Barnet Council’s travel advice team said the closure would have affected residents travelling to Dartford, Gravesend or the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone. The council recommended using the A2 as an alternative route, though warned that local roads in Dartford would likely see increased congestion.
A spokesperson for Transport for London said the incident had no direct impact on TfL services in Barnet, but noted that some bus routes connecting to rail stations in south-east London experienced minor delays due to diverted traffic. No diversions were put in place for buses operating within the borough.
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What happens next
National Highways said it would review CCTV footage and incident logs to determine the cause of the fire. Kent Police confirmed no suspicious circumstances were reported. Drivers who experienced delays are advised to check their insurance policies for claims related to travel disruption, though no compensation scheme has been announced.
Barnet Council said it would monitor traffic patterns in the coming days to assess whether additional signage or diversions were needed for future incidents. Residents planning journeys to Kent are advised to check National Highways’ traffic alerts before travelling.
Questions this report answers
+How long was the M25 closed after the car fire?
The M25 was closed between junctions 2 and 4 for nearly three hours on 3 August 2026. National Highways confirmed the road reopened at 18:30. Delays of up to two hours were reported for drivers caught in the queues.
+Which Barnet residents were most affected by the M25 closure?
Residents travelling to Dartford, Gravesend or the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone were most affected. Barnet Council advised using the A2 as a diversion, though local roads in Dartford saw increased congestion as a result.
+Will there be compensation for drivers delayed by the M25 closure?
No compensation scheme has been announced. National Highways has not indicated plans to reimburse drivers. Those affected should check their insurance policies for travel disruption claims, as individual circumstances vary.
+What caused the car fire on the M25 near Dartford?
The cause of the fire remains unclear. National Highways said it would review CCTV footage and incident logs. Kent Police confirmed no suspicious circumstances were reported, but no further details have been released.
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