Black Eagle Recovery provides 24/7 motorway breakdown recovery across seven major UK motorways. Our operators cover every junction of the M25 London Orbital, the M20 Kent motorway, the M23 Gatwick corridor, and the M1, M11, M2, and M3 — responding to van, car, and light commercial vehicle breakdowns from hard shoulders and emergency refuge areas.
Motorway Safety — Read Before You Call
If your vehicle breaks down on a motorway, move to the hard shoulder or an Emergency Refuge Area (ERA) if it is safe to do so. Switch on hazard lights. Exit via the left-hand door and stand behind the barrier. If you are in a live lane or a dangerous position, call 999 first. Then call us on 0330 520 1620.
Full junction-by-junction coverage on seven major motorways. Click any motorway to see detailed coverage information.
Van breakdowns on motorways are among the most dangerous and disruptive incidents on UK roads. A broken-down Transit or Sprinter on the M25 hard shoulder creates significant risk for the driver and other road users, and can cause major delays for fleet operators and tradespeople.
Black Eagle Recovery specialises in commercial van recovery from motorway hard shoulders and emergency refuge areas. Our flatbed transporters are equipped to recover vans of all sizes — from small Vauxhall Vivaro vans to large Luton box vans — whether loaded or unloaded.
We prioritise van breakdowns on motorways because we understand the commercial impact: every hour your van is off the road costs you money. Our operators work to Highways England safety standards and coordinate with National Highways when required.
Call for Van Recovery: 0330 520 1620Several sections of the M25, M1, M3, and M11 have been converted to smart motorways, where the hard shoulder is used as a running lane during peak hours. On these sections, Emergency Refuge Areas (ERAs) are provided at intervals of approximately one mile as a safe place to stop in an emergency.
ERAs are marked with orange surfacing and an SOS telephone. Each ERA has a unique number displayed on the orange sign — note this number when you call us.
ERA SOS phones connect directly to National Highways. They can confirm your location to emergency services and coordinate with our operators.
Once in an ERA, exit via the left-hand door and stand behind the barrier. Do not return to your vehicle until it is safe to do so.
Note on all-lane running (ALR) motorways: If your vehicle breaks down in a live lane on an ALR smart motorway and you cannot reach an ERA, switch on your hazard lights and call 999 immediately. National Highways will activate the red X signal above your lane and deploy traffic officers. Once you are in a safe position, call us on 0330 520 1620 and we will arrange recovery.
Common questions about motorway breakdown recovery.
Call us now for 24/7 motorway recovery. Our operators cover the M25, M20, M23, M1, M11, M2, and M3.
0330 520 1620Available 24/7 · No call-out fee to quote · All van types covered
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In-depth guides from our advice centre
A motorway breakdown is one of the most dangerous situations a driver can face. This guide explains exactly what to do — and what not to do — if you break down on a UK motorway or smart motorway.
Smart motorways have no permanent hard shoulder — which makes breaking down on one significantly more dangerous than on a conventional motorway. This guide explains what to do, how emergency refuge areas work, and what the law says about stopping on a smart motorway.
A tyre blowout at motorway speed is one of the most frightening driving experiences. Knowing how to react in the first few seconds can be the difference between a safe stop and a serious accident. This guide explains exactly what to do — and what not to do.
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