A seven-mile stretch of the M25 will be closed in both directions from this evening, for the second of five closures planned for the weekend.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the closure area – between junctions 9 and 10 in Surrey – from 9pm on Friday until 6am on Monday.
Motorists have also been urged to follow the planned 30km detour route, which will send vehicles through parts of Surrey it’s bigger London.
It is the second of five planned closures of the motorway and comes after a section between Junctions 10 and 11 was closed in March.
On that occasion, fears that diversion routes would be overloaded turned out to be unfounded, as traffic levels were more than two-thirds lower than normal following a widespread awareness campaign.
However, National Highways senior project manager Jonathan Wade says there is a “very real” risk that the lack of disruption in March means some drivers will not heed warnings to replan journeys this weekend.
“We have increased the amount of mail we send to try to combat this, but it continues to be a problem,” he says.
A map showing the M25 closure and diversion route between Junctions 9 and 10 in May 2024
Those traveling to, from and between the UK’s two busiest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, are expected to be affected, as National Highways has warned to expect long delays.
Other sections of the M25 will also be closed this weekend due to ongoing work to upgrade additional emergency stopping areas on sections of smart motorways.
Meanwhile, Wade warned that drivers will be subject to London’s ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) rules if they leave official diversion routes during the closure of the M25 this weekend.
National Highways said anyone who ignores diversion signs in an attempt to find alternative shorter routes will be liable for the daily Ulez charge of £12.50 if their vehicle does not meet minimum emissions standards.
Failure to pay the fee when required may result in a fine of £180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
The diversion routes will take cars on a 30-kilometre journey on A roads, crossing from Surrey to London’s ULEZ area.
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National Highways senior project manager Jonathan Wade told the PA news agency: “Although the (ULEZ) cameras are active, no enforcement action will be taken.
“However, if you ignore the detour signs and do whatever you want, if your vehicle is not compliant, you run the risk of being caught.
“You’ll be perfectly safe as long as you follow the detour routes.”
The M25 was closed in March to allow for the demolition of a bridge. Photo: National Highways Southeast/X
View of traffic approaching Junction 10 of the M25 before closure in March. Photo: PA
Read more on Sky News:
Everything you need to know before the M25 closes
Aerial footage shows calm amid congestion fears on M25
RAC spokeswoman Alice Simpson also warned drivers not to rely on their satellite navigation systems during the closure.
“Planning ahead is absolutely vital,” she said.
“Rather than relying on satellite navigation, check planned diversion routes in advance and be prepared for long delays.
“It’s also a good idea to check your vehicle’s oil and coolant levels, tire pressure and tread depth before setting off to reduce the chances of an unwanted breakdown.”
National Highways says this weekend’s closure is to allow for the installation of a new bridge between Junction 9 and Junction 10.
The previous closure was to allow for the demolition of the Clearmount Bridge between Junction 10 and Junction 11 and the installation of a large gantry.
Three further weekend closures of the M25 are scheduled to take place between August and the end of the year.
The project, due for completion in the summer of 2025, will increase the number of lanes and make it easier to enter and exit the M25 at Junction 10, which is one of the busiest and most dangerous road junctions in the UK.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
