M25 closure live: ‘Good progress’ made overnight as bridge demolition continues
Highways chiefs have said “good progress” was made overnight in planned engineering works which led to the first daylight closure of the M25. Work continued throughout the night between Junctions 10 and 11, as the closure entered its second day. Billed as “carmageddon”, highways chiefs have continued to urge motorists to only use the M25 and its diversions “if your journey is necessary” as engineers demolish a bridge.
National Highways South East said: “We made good progress during the first night of the M25 J10 and J11 weekend closure.” The closure is part of a plan to improve Junction 10 of the M25. National Highways said the plan this weekend is “to demolish the Clearmount bridleway bridge and install a very large gantry”.
It said: “Without a full closure of the M25 at this junction, it would be impossible to safely demolish the overbridges and install the new gantry.” Under the scheme, National Highways is aiming to improve traffic flow along the UK’s busiest motorway by increasing the number of lanes and making entry and exit onto the M25 safer. On Saturday motorists were able to travel along A-roads through the official 11.5-mile diversion in just 25 mins, according to National Highways South East.
Traffic is expected to pick up during peak times on Sunday as Chelsea and West Ham United, two of London’s biggest football clubs, are both playing at home. Follow live throughout the day for the latest updates
Diversion jam fears keep drivers away
Congestion during the motorway closure has been lighter than feared. Debbie Andrews, 38, a Chertsey resident, said local traffic at her part of the diversion route had been “quieter than usual”.
“All roads around Chertsey area were quieter than usual all day Saturday – I made 4 journeys to and from Bisley,” she said. “Seems like people stayed away or at home for fear of diversion jams.”
Other travel disruptions:
Morning travellers have faced disruptions due to overrunning engineering works. Routes between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington faced cancellations or delays of up to 30 minutes, with disruption expected until 11am
London St Pancras International and London Charing Cross headed towards Dover Priory and Ashford International are on bus replacement service until 2pm because of an electrical fault between Dover Priory and Folkestone Central. Engineers are reportedly on site. Heathrow express has 15 mins delays on its service after overrunning engineering works, which resulted in early morning cancellations.
Services are delayed by up to 15 minutes or subject to cancellations due to congestion #hexupdates[3]
— Heathrow Express (@HeathrowExpress) March 17, 2024[4]10:31AM[5]
Picture: New gantry installed overnight
A new gantry has been installed overnight and works “remain on schedule”, according to National Highways South East.
Credit: NATIONAL HIGHWAYS SOUTH EAST 
Credit: NATIONAL HIGHWAYS SOUTH EAST10:11AM[6]
Traffic ‘not as bad as feared’
Amanda Boote, of Woking borough council, told the PA news agency that traffic along the diversion through the towns of Byfleet, West Byfleet, Woking and Ottershaw was not as bad as feared.
Concerns had been raised that thousands of drivers would be stuck in gridlocked traffic over the weekend during the unprecedented closure on the south west of the orbital route, with one councillor calling it a “nightmare”. But CCTV from Junction 9 shows traffic is busy but moving at the start of the diversion at Leatherhead and Epsom.
M25 diversion route
Diversions are in place around Junction 9-11 rerouting traffic through some residential areas with single lanes in each direction. South East Coast Ambulance Service, which covers Surrey, urged drivers to clear the way for ambulances.
A spokesman said: “We ask for the public’s support and advise motorists to avoid the area unless their journey is essential.
“We also ask that, as ever, they are aware of any emergency vehicles looking to progress through any heavier traffic.”
M25 closures
A five-mile stretch of the M25 between junctions 10 and 11 has been closed since 9pm on Friday March 15 and will reopen 6am on Monday March 18.
The M25 meets the A3 to Guildford and Portsmouth at Junction 10 and Junction 11 links the A320 between Staines and Woking, as well as the A317 to Weybridge.
Good morning
Welcome to day two of our coverage on the planned closure of the M25 between Junction 10 and 11