London traffic now: why A13, A12 and A406 delays are rising and which roads are closed

London traffic now is experiencing disruption following two separate incidents that have led to road closures in different parts of the capital, with congestion building across several major routes during the latest reporting window.

The most significant impact within London traffic now is currently recorded on A239 Cricket Green in Mitcham, where the road has been closed in both directions following an accident, creating immediate queueing traffic and forcing diversions for bus routes across the area, The WP Times reports. This disruption is already placing additional pressure on surrounding corridors, particularly the A13, where eastbound delays have reached up to 30 minutes, and the A12, where congestion is building to approximately 25 minutes during the latest update window. The editorial team notes that even localised incidents can rapidly escalate into wider network disruption, especially across interconnected routes such as the A406 North Circular, where traffic is now moving slowly with delays of 10–15 minutes across multiple sections.

A second incident has been confirmed on Horns Road in Barkingside, where emergency services have closed the road in both directions while responding to an ongoing situation, leading to localised delays and rerouting of traffic. At the same time, increased pressure is visible across major arteries including the A13, A12 and A406 North Circular, where travel times have extended as vehicles are redistributed around affected zones.

which roads are affected across London traffic now

The current disruption pattern shows a combination of isolated closures and broader congestion across the road network, with traffic flow adjusting dynamically around blocked segments. While the closures themselves remain localised, their secondary impact is visible across connecting routes, particularly during peak movement periods when traffic density is already elevated.

Key affected locations include both incident zones and high-pressure corridors where delays are increasing due to diverted traffic and normal demand cycles. The distribution of congestion indicates that while no single network-wide failure is present, the cumulative effect is slowing movement across multiple districts.

Affected roads and conditions:

• A239 Cricket Green (Mitcham) — closed both directions after accident
• Horns Road (Barkingside) — closed both directions due to emergency services incident
• A13 Eastbound — delays up to 30 minutes
• A12 Eastbound (Redbridge Roundabout) — delays up to 25 minutes
• A406 North Circular — multiple sections with queueing traffic
• A2 New Cross / Blackheath Road — slow traffic conditions
• A3 Wandsworth — steady congestion in both directions

travel times and congestion pressure on key routes

Travel times across London traffic now reflect a typical but intensified congestion pattern, where delays are not caused by a single event but by overlapping pressure points across the system. The A13 currently shows the highest delay levels, with travel times reaching approximately 30 minutes on eastbound sections, while the A12 and A406 corridors continue to absorb redirected traffic from closed routes.

This type of congestion structure is consistent with urban traffic systems under partial disruption, where even minor closures can create measurable delays across interconnected routes. Drivers moving through outer London and arterial connections are experiencing slower progression, particularly near roundabouts, junctions and interchange points.

incident response and traffic management measures

Traffic management responses currently focus on diversion strategies and maintaining flow across alternative routes, particularly in areas directly affected by closures. Bus routes including the 127, S1 and 169 have been redirected to avoid blocked segments, reflecting the wider impact on public transport movement within these districts.

Emergency services presence on Horns Road suggests that the situation remains active, while the closure on A239 indicates ongoing clearance or investigation following the reported accident. Such responses typically prioritise safety and controlled reopening, which can extend disruption even after the initial incident has been stabilised.

Statements from traffic monitoring systems confirm the real-time nature of the situation, with updates issued within minutes of changes on the ground (“road closed in both directions with queueing traffic following an accident”, INRIX, London, latest update). Additional updates highlight the role of emergency services in maintaining control of affected zones (“closure in place while emergency services respond”, INRIX, London, latest data).

what drivers should expect next across London traffic now

Current conditions suggest that disruption will remain localised but persistent in the short term, particularly around Mitcham and Barkingside, where full reopening depends on incident clearance timelines. As traffic redistributes, secondary congestion may continue to affect key routes such as the A406 North Circular and A12 corridors. Drivers can expect fluctuating travel times rather than a full network recovery in the immediate period, with improvements likely to occur gradually as closures are lifted and traffic flow stabilises. The absence of wider infrastructure failure indicates that while delays are present, the system remains operational and responsive to changing conditions.

From a traffic pattern perspective, London traffic now reflects a typical urban response to isolated incidents, where the primary impact is concentrated locally but extends outward through connected routes, influencing travel times across a broader area without triggering city-wide disruption.

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