Drivers should prepare for significant disruption as the M25 motorway faces its first ever full weekend closure. From 9pm on Friday, March 15 until 6am on Monday, March 18, a crucial five-mile section between junctions 10 and 11 in Surrey will be completely closed.
This closure is part of a major £317 million upgrade project. The works include demolishing an old bridge and installing a new gantry to increase lane capacity and improve traffic flow at Junction 10, which is known as one of the most congested and hazardous splicing points on the motorway.
National Highways, the government agency responsible for the upgrade, states that these improvements are designed to reduce congestion and enhance safety on this heavily used route.
The closure will affect over 200,000 vehicles, including those travelling to London, Heathrow, Gatwick, and the Channel ports. Weekend traffic volumes on this stretch typically range from 4,000 to 6,000 vehicles per hour in each direction, so drivers should expect severe delays and traffic jams.
National Highways has arranged alternative routes to help manage traffic during the closure. Project lead Jonathan Wade advised, “Avoid travel if you can. Congestion and delays are unavoidable.”
This weekend marks the first of five planned shutdowns between junctions 10 and 11, with further closures scheduled through to September. The upgrade work began in summer 2022 and is expected to continue for three years, ultimately delivering smoother journeys on this vital motorway.
Drivers are urged to stay alert, follow diversion signs carefully, and exercise patience. Live updates will be available as the closure approaches and throughout its duration.
Originally published by UKNIP.
