Drivers have been warned that a section of the M25 will be closed for the fifth and final time this weekend as part of a delayed £317million project.
London’s orbital motorway will be shut from 9pm tonight until 5.30am on Monday between junction 10 for Wisley and junction 11 for Chertsey in Surrey.
During the 56-and-a-half-hour closure, diversion routes will be established on A-roads. This closure is necessary for National Highways to demolish and remove an old bridge.
The demolition is part of the ongoing efforts to upgrade the gyratory at junction 10. This upgrade work was recently completed as a measure to alleviate congestion in the area.
Commencing in the summer of 2022, the project aims to expand the number of lanes at junction 10. This junction is recognized as one of the busiest and most hazardous motorway junctions in the United Kingdom.
Construction was initially scheduled to be completed this summer, but will not finish until spring next year because of delays bosses attributed to ‘extreme weather’.
The works are also intended to make it easier and safer to enter and exit the M25 and provide safer entry roads for Wisley, Pyrford, Old Byfleet and RHS Garden Wisley.
Among the people affected by this weekend’s closure will be many of those travelling to, from and between the UK’s two busiest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick.
M25 will shut from 9pm tonight until 5.30am on Monday between junctions 10 and 11 in Surrey
Traffic being diverted upon reaching junction 10 of the M25 in Wisley, Surrey, in March 2024
Drivers were urged to ‘think carefully about their travel plans’ after a ‘notable increase in traffic’ during a closure two weeks ago to remove another structure.
There had previously been fears of severe congestion on diversion routes during weekend closures in 2024, but many drivers heeded warnings to stay away, meaning long hold-ups were avoided.
However, National Highways senior project manager Jonathan Wade said road users should ‘avoid complacency’ this weekend.
He also urged motorists to follow signed diversions rather than satnavs after seeing lorries on unsuitable routes a fortnight ago which became stuck and clogged up roads.
Mr Wade said: ‘We are now on the home straight of this complex project and we are pleased to say this is the last time the M25 will be closed over a full weekend.
‘Two weeks ago, when we last closed the motorway, we saw higher levels of traffic than in the previous three closures and it caused significant disruption and delays in local areas.’
Those works coincided with the year’s first real weekend of good weather as temperatures reached a high of 19.7C (67.5F) on March 9.
This weekend is due to be cloudy in South East England with highs of 18C (64F) on Saturday and 15C (59F) on Sunday.
Mr Wade added: ‘We obviously want people to spend time enjoying themselves, we don’t want anyone to be stuck in long traffic jams.
‘If you’re travelling around Surrey this weekend, I’d again urge you to only use the motorway and surrounding areas if your journey is absolutely necessary.
‘Please allow extra time and use alternative routes where possible, and make sure you follow our official diversions, and not information from satnavs.’
Engineering works at the A3 Wisley interchange at junction 10 of the M25 in May 2024
National Highways closed a section of the M25 two weeks ago to remove another structure
Those travelling clockwise will be diverted onto the A3 northbound at junction 10 and then the A245 and A320 before rejoining the M25 at junction 11.
Those going in the opposite direction will take the A320 southbound at junction 11, before heading onto the A245 and the A3, rejoining the motorway at junction 10.
Alvaro Iturmendi, travel insurance expert at Confused.com, warned that the closure would one of the busiest stretches for those heading to or from Gatwick and Heathrow.
He told MailOnline: ‘Our research found that UK holiday-goers tend to only arrive at the airport one-and-a-half hours before a short haul flight, and three hours for long haul.’
‘As motorists are being encouraged to consider alternative routes during this time, this could mean that these also become heavily congested as a result.
Traffic approaches junction 10 of the M25 during a site visit ahead of a closure in March 2024
‘So finding other means of transport, such as train services which go direct into the airport terminal, could be the best option.
‘But travellers should still allow themselves plenty of time to get to airports, as it’s likely that the whole transport network will face major delays.
‘As the disruptions aren’t anything to do with airlines or airports themselves, it’s unlikely that compensation will be offered to those who miss their flights.’
The first M25 closure in March last year was the first planned daytime shutdown of the motorway since it opened in 1986.
While this weekend marks the final weekend closure of the M25, National Highways confirmed that work on the A3 will continue over the coming months.
Shaun Jones, AA Patrol of the Year, said: ‘We urge drivers, particularly those in HGVs to follow the signed diversionary routes rather than using SatNav or Google Maps.
National Highways demolition works take place as part of the M25 upgrades in Surrey
‘During the previous closure – March 7 to 10 – a HGV driver had to be rescued by Surrey Police from Purford Lock as they had followed Google Maps and not the agreed diversion route.
‘Drivers should allow plenty of extra time for their journey, and those attending the England match on Friday evening should be aware of extra traffic after the match has ended.
‘Prepare your vehicle before setting off by checking oil and coolant levels, tyres and make sure you have enough fuel or electric charge to cover the planned diversions.’
