M25 Junction 23: Bignells Corner (A1(M), A1, A1081)
Junction 23 at South Mimms is where the M25 meets the A1(M) heading north and the A1 heading into London. South Mimms Services is at the junction. South Mimms and Ridge are the villages beside it, and Potters Bar is a little under two miles east. The De Havilland Aircraft Museum is about two and a half miles north-west.
Drivers bound for the A1(M) north, those heading into London on the A1, and anyone stopping at South Mimms Services meet here. Before a long trip north, this page is a good first look.
For the A1(M) north towards Stevenage, Peterborough and beyond, see our sister site A1M Traffic ↗ (opens in a new tab).
Check this junction now: live M25 speed flow map · latest M25 traffic news · M25 serious incidents · M25 accidents
M25 Junction 23 Now: Accidents, Incidents and Roadworks
Live traffic news at M25 Junction 23
Incidents and roadworks between Junction 22 and Junction 24 that we are aware of.
M25 Clockwise Jct 24 Jct 25 lane 4,3,2 closure
21:28 (9:28pm)21 Oct 2026reported 14 min ago
- Location
- M25 clockwise between J24 and J25
- Direction
- Clockwise
- Lanes closed
- Lane closures
- Reason
- Construction work
- Schedule
- 22:00 (10pm) Wed 21 Oct 2026 → 05:30 (5:30am) Thu 22 Oct 2026
Forecast - not confirmed
This is the news for Junction 23 only, not the whole M25. For the rest of the motorway see all the latest M25 traffic news, the overhead signs and the speed limits in force now.
Updated 21:42 (9:42pm) Wed 21 Oct 2026
Live Traffic Speeds at M25 Junction 23
The speed strip below shows the M25 around this junction, both directions, from National Highways’ live data, checked every five minutes.
Untick all three to see just the speeds. We show the important overhead signs and the mandatory speed limits (red ring); see every overhead sign.
Go to our live M25 traffic speed flow map ›
NOTE: The speed flow, overhead sign messages or other information shown on our live traffic speed flow map is updated every few minutes. We cross check the data and aim to provide warnings if there could be a delay or an inaccurate speed reading. There can be occasions, beyond our control, and despite our best efforts where the speed flow could be inaccurate. We cannot therefore guarantee the speed you can expect on any stretch of the motorway is always accurately shown. However we hope you will find our live traffic speed flow map a useful tool in trying to plan your journey. Safe driving.
All the latest M25 traffic news →Live M25 traffic speed flow map →
M25 J23 in Our Records
Most incidents we recorded at J23 were breakdowns or obstructions; 3 of 9 were collisions. Clockwise, traffic has been running faster than its typical speed, even in its slowest daytime hour (16:00). Anticlockwise, traffic usually keeps close to its typical speed through the day; the slowest hour is 09:00.
Average speed by hour of day at J23
Clockwise
Anticlockwise
Incidents per week at J23
The latest 5 here
- Tue 20 Oct, 18:11 (6:11pm) Broken Down Vehicle ✓Reported by National Highways
M25 clockwise between junctions J23 and J24
✓ Cleared after about 72 minutes (1.2 hours) - Tue 20 Oct, 14:50 (2:50pm) Broken Down Vehicle ✓Reported by National Highways
M25 clockwise at junction J23
✓ Cleared after about 16 minutes - Mon 19 Oct, 18:22 (6:22pm) Broken Down Vehicle ✓Reported by National Highways
M25 clockwise between junctions J23 and J24
✓ Cleared after about 28 minutes - Fri 16 Oct, 12:21 (12:21pm) Collision ✓Reported by National Highways
M25 clockwise between junctions J23 and J24
✓ Cleared after about 101 minutes (1.68 hours) - Fri 16 Oct, 10:45 (10:45am) Collision ✓Reported by National Highways
M25 anti-clockwise between junctions J23 and J22
✓ Cleared after about 12 minutes
Built from our own records of National Highways’ live data for the M25 either side of J23: speeds from 11 days of five-minute readings, incidents from the last 13 days (we started recording incidents on 09/10/2026). Each incident is counted once. Updated every five minutes.
- Junction M25 J23, Bignells Corner
- Roads at this junction A1(M), A1, A1081
- Nearest town Potters Bar, 1.9 miles east
- Junction before J22, The Bell, about 3.0 miles in a straight line
- Junction after J24, Potters Bar, about 2.4 miles in a straight line
Around M25 Junction 23: Bignells Corner: Towns and Places on the Map

| Place | What it is | From the junction |
|---|---|---|
| Moo-land | Attraction | About 1.5 miles south |
| Hadley Wood | Railway station | About 2.5 miles south-east |
| De Havilland Aircraft Museum | Attraction | About 2.5 miles north-west |
| Colney Fields Shopping Park | Shopping | About 3.5 miles north-west |
| New Barnet | Railway station | About 3.5 miles south-east |
| Lambs | Attraction | About 5 miles south-west |