Section of M11 closed as another huge field fire breaks out

A section of the M11 has been closed while firefighters tackle the latest in a long line of field fires to break out in the dry conditions.

The motorway is shut northbound between Junctions 7A and 8, heading towards Stansted Airport, because of the blaze beside the carriageway.

Three miles of congestion have built up on the approach, and National Highways said at around 5.30pm on Thursday (August 4).

Essex firefighters are fighting the field fire, while National Highways traffic officers handle traffic management.

“At this stage it is not known how long the carriageway will be closed for,” said a National Highways statement.

“Road users are advised to follow the Solid Diamond diversion symbol on road signs.”

The diversion advises drivers to:

• Exit J7a northbound onto the A1025 west to Harlow.
• Continue along the A10255 to the A1205/A414 roundabout.
• At the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A414.
• Continue on the A414 through Harlow to the A414/A10 roundabout.
• Take the 2nd exit onto the A10 northbound.
• Continue on the A10 through Ware, Thundridge, High Cross and Colliers End to the A1/A120 roundabout.
• At the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A120.
• Continue on the A120 through Standon and Little Hadham and re join the M11 at J8.

Earlier today, there were delays of up to 60 minutes on the M11 northbound between Junctions 7a and 9.

Today’s incident follows a 400-acre blaze beside the M11 south of Cambridge at Littlebury in Essex on July 17.

Firefighters successfully battled to keep the flames from reaching homes and the motorway.