Why the M25 is closing — the ambitious plan in maps

It's the busiest junction on the busiest motorway in the country. But at 9pm on Friday, the traffic will disappear completely from a five-mile stretch of the M25 as it closes for roadworks during daytime for the first time in its history.

The London Orbital will be shut in both directions between junctions 10 and 11 until 6am on Monday, as part of a GBP317 million engineering project to build a new interchange with the A3, improving safety, congestion, and even, according to National Highways, the local environment.

Up to 6,000 vehicles an hour bound for Heathrow, Gatwick and the Channel ports will be diverted to adjoining roads in Surrey, causing widespread traffic jams. Motorists have been advised to stay away.

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