The M25, Britain’s busiest motorway, has reopened ahead of schedule after a weekend of disruption caused by the installation of a new bridge. The closure, which affected both directions between junctions 9 and 10 in Surrey, forced drivers to endure a 19-mile diversion while concrete beams were installed for the new structure.

Initially planned to reopen at 6am on Monday, the motorway was fully operational overnight, seven hours ahead of schedule. National Highways confirmed the completion of the works in a post on social media, stating that traffic was “flowing well in both directions.

The closure was part of a £317 million project aimed at improving junction 10. Over the weekend, crews installed 72 concrete beams for the new bridge, using specialist lifting gear to manoeuvre beams weighing up to 40 tonnes each. In total, they lifted an impressive 1,248 tonnes of material.

Following the successful completion of the works, National Highways expressed gratitude to motorists for their patience during the closure. Despite the disruption, the agency ensured that diversion routes were clearly marked, urging drivers to follow official instructions to manage traffic flow effectively.

Throughout the closure, Surrey Highways reported major delays in surrounding areas, including West Byfleet and Leatherhead. However, with the motorway now reopened, traffic has returned to normal, alleviating congestion in affected areas.

Although diversion routes took drivers on a 19-mile journey along A roads, National Highways assured that no enforcement action would be taken. However, drivers who ignored official diversion signs and entered London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) were subject to a daily fee of £12.50 if their vehicles did not meet minimum emissions standards.

National Highways reiterated the importance of adhering to official instructions and urged drivers to only travel the route if necessary, advising alternative transportation methods where possible.

The successful completion of the bridge installation marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to improve Britain’s road infrastructure, ensuring smoother and safer journeys for motorists across the country.