Bank Holiday queues on the M25 have become notorious. Credit: PA
The Association of British Drivers (ABD) has waded into a safety row over plans to remove the hard shoulder on the M25 between Kent and Surrey, saying it's "an accident waiting to happen".
The £175million Highway Agency scheme to ease congestion would make the hard shoulder an extra lane for traffic - with refuge areas every two and a half kilometres between junction five and junction seven.
"The hard shoulder is a long established, well recognised safe haven in case of breakdowns or accidents," said Ian Taylor, spokesman for the ABD.
"Plans to replace the hard shoulder with refuges 2500 feet apart are an accident waiting to happen.
"We also condemn plans to install speed cameras at these junctions to vary the speed limit at busy periods. The war on the motorist continues unabated."
The family of a Highways Agency traffic officer killed by a car on the M25 as he dealt with the aftermath of another crash have paid tribute to him.
Relatives of grandfather John Walmsley, 59, from Gravesend, Kent, said he was "irreplaceable" and was noted for his honesty and kindness.
Mr Walmsley was hit by a Vauxhall Vectra on the clockwise carriageway at junction 5 near south Chevening, Kent, on Tuesday following an earlier accident involving a single vehicle. He died at the scene.
His family said: "Our dad, was a great dad, grandad and, most importantly, great husband who is irreplaceable.
"He had the affection and respect of just about everyone he came in contact with, due to his honesty and kindness with/to them. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him."
The family of John Walmsley, who died following a collision on the M25 on Tuesday has released the following tribute: "John Walmsley, our dad, was a great dad, grandad and most importantly great husband, who is irreplaceable.
"He had the affection and respect of just about everyone he come in contact with, due to his honesty and kindness with/to them. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him."
Controversial scheme for M25 Credit: Steve Parsons/PA Wire/Press Association Images
The Highways Agency has started consultation on controversial plans to use the hard shoulder as a running lane for cars and lorries on the M25 in Kent and Surrey, to ease congestion. Critics including the police and AA say drivers could be stranded on the main carriageway if they break down.
A man who died after being hit by a car on the M25 was a Highways Agency traffic officer who was dealing with the aftermath of another crash, it has emerged.
He was struck by a Vauxhall Vectra on the clockwise carriageway at junction 5 in Kent on Tuesday following an earlier collision involving a single vehicle.
The 60-year-old, from Gravesend, has not yet been named but was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two of the three occupants of the Vectra were taken to hospital, one with suspected serious injuries.
A Highways Agency spokesman said: "The officer's next of kin have been informed and our deepest sympathies are with them at this time."
Police are appealing for information after a pedestrian was killed in a collision on the M25 between Junction 4 and Junction 5 on 25th September 2012 at about 2.15pm.
They were hit by a maroon Vauxhall Vectra, while they were attending an earlier incident on the motorway.
Kent Police were called to a road traffic collision on the M25, at junction 5, near South Chevening. The collision involved one vehicle and a minor injury. While attending the incident, a pedestrian was involved in a further collision with a car.
This is on the M25 prior to where it joins the M26 on the clockwise carriageway. The M25clockwise carriageway has been closed between junction 4 and junction 5. Clacketts Road slip junction was closed to the clockwise carriageway.
The road is likely to be closed for several hours as the Serious Collision Investigation Unit attend. Traffic is being diverted off along the A21 slip road, to rejoin the motorway from A21.
Two lanes are closed and there is queueing traffic on the M25 clockwise between Junction 5 for the M26 / A21 and Junction 6 for the A22 / B2235. Lanes two and three are closed and there are tailbacks to Junction 5.
Two lanes and an exit slip road are closed on the M25 clockwise at junction 1A for Swanscombe (A282) due to a vehicle fire. Although the fire is now out the vehicle needs to be recovered.
