M25: Essex commuters warned of delays as 'unprecedented closure' takes place this weekend
It's the first time an entire section of motorway will have been closed in daytime hours for roadworks
For the first time since it opened almost 40 years ago the M25 is closing a section for an entire weekend.
The motorway will shut between junctions 10 at Wisley/A3 and 11 at Chertsey interchange from 9AM Friday (15 March) until 6AM on Monday (18 March).
There's concerns the closure could impact surrounding counties with junctions of the M25, such as Essex and areas of Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
National Highways says it's part of plans to increase the number of lanes and to make it easier to get on and off at junction 10 which is one of the UK's busiest and most dangerous motorway junctions.
Jonathan Wade, National Highways Project Lead, said:
“Drivers should only use the M25 if their journey is absolutely necessary. This is the first of five full closures of one of the busiest junctions on our road network.
“We have spent months planning for these closures and making sure there are diversion routes in place, but there will still be heavy congestion and delays.
“These improvements will bring long-term benefits to drivers who pass through this stretch of the M25, not to mention pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders who will also see positive changes in the area.”
Diversion
The local diversion route below will be in place which is the same for both directions:
Junction 10 - Junction 11: North bound A3 to Painshill Junction, A245 towards Woking, and then A320 to M25 Junction 11.
Junction 11 - Junction 10: A320 south towards Woking, A245 towards Byfleet and Painshill junction, Southbound A3 to Junction 10.
Taking the M25 in the other direction to avoid our closure is also an option.
The carriageway between junctions 9 and 11 carries between 4,000 and 6,000 vehicles per hour in each direction between 10am and 9pm on a weekend.
National Highways say the work needs to be carried out now to continue the delivery of the scheme which is due to open to traffic in Summer 2025. National Highways says it has planned these closures to make sure they do not conflict with holiday periods or key events in the area.
The next full closure of the M25 is due to take place in April to allow for the installation of the new Clearmount bridleway bridge, although we are told dates are subject to change.
Later this year, National Highways will also look to install the new Cockcrow Green Bridge which will be the project’s centrepiece. This will be the UK’s first ever heathland bridge connecting Ockham and Wisley commons for the first time and provide a safe, natural corridor for local wildlife.