'Serious congestion' expected during 'unprecedented' M25 closure

Drivers are being told to expect severe congestion during the first ever weekend closure of the M25.

A five-mile stretch of the motorway will shut between Junction 10, with the A3 at Wisley, and the Chertsey Interchange at Junction 11, from 9pm on Friday 15 March until 6am on Monday 18 March.

Between 4000 and 6000 drivers typically use this route each hour between 10am and 9pm on a weekend.

This weekend's closure is to allow for the demolition of a bridge and a new gantry to be installed, as well as resurfacing works to the carriageway.

Drivers in both directions are being diverted along the A245 and A320 through Byfleet and Sheerwater.

People travelling further around the motorway are also being asked to use the Dartford Crossing, and anyone travelling from the south coast is being encouraged to use the M3 or M23 to reach the motorway

Stick to diversion routes, drivers urged

Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, National Highways' Senior Project Manager, Jonathan Wade, says forcing traffic from a four-lane carriageway onto single-lane routes will lead to "serious congestion."

He added he is not sure how effective messaging about the closure and the diversion routes has been.

"If you are going to drive anywhere in this area, please allow longer for your journey," he said.

Mr Wade also urged drivers to stick to the diversion route, and not to follow their sat nav if it suggests they take an alternative route.

"If you start using sat nav and taking your initiative, you could quite easily find you'll come up against further delays at junctions that aren't planned as part of the diversions."

Four more weekend closures are scheduled before the works are set to finish in Summer 2025.

This includes for construction of the UK's first ever heathland bridge, which will allow wildlife a safe corridor across the motorway.

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