Passengers travelling to Heathrow Airport face delays on M4 after car catches fire in tunnel

Passengers travelling to Heathrow Airport are facing delays on the road after a vehicle caught fire in a tunnel.

"Due to an earlier vehicle fire, road access to Terminals 2 and 3 is partially restricted," the airport said in a post on X shortly before 7am.

"Passengers are advised to leave more time travelling to the airport and use public transport where possible.

"We apologise for the disruption caused."

AA Roadwatch said one lane was closed and there was "queueing traffic" due to a vehicle fire on Tunnel Road "both ways from Terminals 2 and 3 to M4 Spur Road (Emirates roundabout)".

"Congestion to the M4 back along the M4 Spur, and both sides on the A4. Down to one lane each way through one tunnel...," it added.

In an update at around 9am, the airport said the roads had reopened.

"An earlier vehicle fire affecting road access to Terminals 2 and 3 has now been resolved," it said.

"All roads have now reopened but there continues to be some congestion around the airport."

National Highways East added: "Traffic officers have advised that the M4 southbound spur Heathrow in Greater London between the J4 and J4A has now been reopened."

However, the agency warned of "severe delays on the approach" to the airport, recommended allowing extra time to get there and thanked travellers for their patience.

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The London Fire Brigade said in a post on X it was alerted to a car fire in a tunnel near Heathrow Airport just before 3am.

"Firefighters attended and extinguished the fire, which involved a diesel-powered vehicle. No one was hurt and the airport has now confirmed the tunnel has reopened," it added.

Travellers writing on social media reported contrasting experiences with one calling it "complete chaos on all surrounding roads".

Another said they "went to T5 and got the express to T3" - describing their 7am journey as "very easy" having experienced "no time delay at all".

(c) Sky News 2025: Passengers travelling to Heathrow Airport face delays on M4 after car catches fire in tunnel