Everything you need to know as M25 motorway shuts this weekend for major works

As part of a GBP317m major works, a chunk of the M25[1], one of the UK's busiest and most dangerous motorway junctions, will be closed this weekend. Engineers will construct a bridge Junction 10 in Surrey[2] in a bid to cut congestion and improve safety. This is the third closer this year and will impact a stretch of the road where up to 6000 vehicles pass through between 9am and 10pm on weekends.

Holidaymakers are being asked to plan ahead whilst potential upturn in weather[3] conditions and the Euros final could result in more cars on the road. Here's everything you need to know about the closure...

Where is the closure and what's the diversion?

A 10-mile diversion will be set up to replace the route between Junctions 10 and 11, which will be shut from 9pm on Friday 12 July until 6am on Monday 15 July.

From Junction 10 to 11 the route will be:

Northbound on the A3 to Painshill Junction, A245 towards Woking[5] and then the A320 to M25 Junction 11.

From Junction 11 to 10 it looks like:

South on the A320 towards Woking, A245 towards Byfleet and Painshill junction, then southbound on the A3 to Junction 10.

How bad could it be?

The first closure for major works was in March, followed by another in May according to the National Highways senior project manager Jonathan Wade, both went "well." This weekend's diversion matches the one set up in March, when traffic[6] was not as bad as feared, despite some congestion stretching across two miles at one point. Amanda Boote, of Woking Borough Council, said at the time: "It's actually been a lot better than we expected, it's not gridlocked in the way that we thought it would be."

But with England playing in the Euros final on Sunday, many may head to screenings in central London or watch at a friend's house. The closure might disrupt journeys to Dover by England fans embarking on cross-Channel trips before driving to Berlin for the match. There's also the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Wireless and British Summer Time, while families may head to Thorpe Park.[7][8]

And with slightly improved conditions forecast, the AA's[9] Chris Wood warns it's likely to be "incredibly busy in and around London[10], particularly the M25 junctions 10 to 11." He said: "We advise drivers to plan their journey accordingly, avoiding the west side of the M25 if possible, but if not to expect delays and stick to the detour routes."

And there's one key bit of advice all drivers are urged to heed

Drivers are being urged ignore their satnavs. The diversion sticks to A roads, but National Highways is concerned satnavs could direct drivers[11] to minor roads after leaving the M25. This would cause congestion in residential areas.

These fears were not realised during the first two closures, with motorists mostly sticking to the diverted route. Mr Wade added: "We would urge all drivers[12] to follow the official diversion route as this is the best chance of reaching your destination in good time/ Please ignore your satnavs and follow our diversion route instead."

Airport warnings

Those heading to Heathrow or Gatwick[13], the country's two busiest airports, are warned to plan well ahead. The RAC[14] is advising people to travel "earlier than usual" if their journeys will be affected by the closure.

RAC breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson said: "We're asking holidaymakers to ensure they plan ahead, which means checking their route before they set off, leaving even earlier than usual and, importantly, making sure their vehicles are road ready by checking the oil, coolant and tyres to give themselves the best chance of avoiding a breakdown."

What's all this for?

Shutting the motorway this weekend will enable the construction of a new bridge south of Junction 10.

The project, which is due to be completed in summer 2025, will increase the number of lanes at Junction 10 by four.

Will the diversion take me through a ULEZ zone?

Diversions will not take motorists through ULEZ[15] areas as long as drivers stick to the diverted route.

The last closure, in May, did take drivers through a section of the ULEZ, but nobody was penalised as long as they stuck to the official route.

References

1. ^ M25 (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ Surrey (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ weather (www.mirror.co.uk)
4. ^ Where can you still buy England's EURO 2024 home shirt ahead of Spain final? (www.mirror.co.uk)
5. ^ Woking (www.mirror.co.uk)
6. ^ traffic (www.mirror.co.uk)
7. ^ Goodwood Festival of Speed (www.mirror.co.uk)
8. ^ Thorpe Park. (www.mirror.co.uk)
9. ^ AA's (www.mirror.co.uk)
10. ^ London (www.mirror.co.uk)
11. ^ drivers (www.mirror.co.uk)
12. ^ drivers (www.mirror.co.uk)
13. ^ Gatwick (www.mirror.co.uk)
14. ^ RAC (www.mirror.co.uk)
15. ^ ULEZ (www.mirror.co.uk)