Drivers in Surrey are being warned of “extensive traffic disruption” after a lorry leaked 16,000 litres (3,520 gallons) of diesel along 10 miles (16km) of the A24 in the Dorking area.

Road closures are in place while a clean up of the “significant” spillage takes place, just four days before the this weekend’s full closure of the M25

Surrey Highways, which advised drivers to avoid the area until further notice, said disruption was expected “over the coming days” around the spill area on the A24, says the BBC.

Cobham Services, which is 4.5miles (7.2km) along the M25 from junction 9, had closed earlier in the day but has since reopened along with both entrances.

The Surrey Highways spokesperson said: “Following the diesel spillage on the A24 between the Beare Green roundabout to the Leatherhead M25 junction (junction 9), the road remains closed northbound.

“Surrey Highways teams are on site making the area safe and dealing with the clean-up of this significant spillage that is approximately 16,000 litres and spans 10 miles of road (in excess of 75,000 sq m),” adding “crews will also be working tonight (9 Juy) at the northern end of the closure from junction 9 of the M25 back towards Leatherhead on the A24 tonight with the aim to have it fully resurfaced by the weekend prior the M25 closure at Jct 10-11.”

Ross Mendenhall, operations director at Extra MSA, which operates Cobham Services, said a lorry with a leaking fuel tank had entered the site, spilling diesel throughout.

At about 13:00 BST he confirmed the eastbound carriageway entrance heading towards Gatwick had reopened.

He added: “We are currently working to safely welcome back vehicles through the westbound carriage entry and expect this to reopen in around an hour.”

Inrix said the services closure was related to closures on the A24.