TRAFFIC was in chaos this morning, 1st October, as The Highway was closed in both directions. There had been a collision just before 3.30am, and crash investigators needed to keep the road closed.

The collision was serious, with the London Ambulance Service sending two crews and paramedics in fast response cars. A trauma team from the Air Ambulance travelled to the scene, a short distance from the Royal London Hospital, by car. Two women were treated at the scene and were then taken to hospital. It is believed that they were both seriously injured.

In the early morning, traffic travelling east or west was queuing for miles – as far back as Beckton at one point, with the Limehouse Link tunnel at a standstill.  This congestion affected traffic trying to go north or south, as it could not cross major junctions as cars edged forward and then got caught, preventing north/south traffic using the junctions. North/south traffic was also slowed by drivers trying to find alternative routes through the east/west queues. Bow Road and Mile End Road were also very slow, as drivers tried to find an alternative east/west route.

This caused severe delays for commuters, but drivers trying to make local journeys – to school, medical appointments, or other local needs – were also caught up in the mess. The D3 bus was diverted in the early morning.

The westbound carriageway on The Highway opened at around 10.30am. The eastbound carriageway was finally opened at around 1.30pm, after debris from the collision had been cleared.

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