Drivers are being urged to ensure they are not met with long delays and disruption this weekend in preparation for the closure of the M25 motorway.
Between Friday, March 15, at 9pm and Monday, March 18, at 6am, the M25 between Junction 10 and Junction 11 will be closed in both directions.
This will be the first scheduled daytime closure of the M25 since it was opened in the 1980s as National Highways prepare for demolition works.
As part of the work, the Clearmount bridleway bridge will be demolished to install a large gantry on the motorway.
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The M25 will be closed between Friday and Monday
PA
While the work is ongoing, National Highways has presented drivers with clear diversion routes to help them on their journeys with minimal disruption.
When driving between Junction 10 and Junction 11, National Highways is urging drivers to be aware of the diversion routes.
For this route, drivers should take the A3 northbound to Painshill, followed by the A245 towards Woking.
From here, National Highways advises travelling from the A245 to the A320 before rejoining the M25 at Junction 11.
Anyone travelling from Junction 11 to Junction 10 should join the A320 south towards Woking, then the A245 towards Byfleet and Painshill Junction.
They should then travel southbound on the A3 where they will be able to join Junction 10 of the M25.
National Highways has called on drivers going either way to leave “a lot of extra time” for their journey to avoid disruption and long waiting times.
The website also states: “Taking the M25 in the other direction to avoid our closure is also an option.”
The diversion route for the M25 this weekend
GOOGLE MAPS
There are expected to be four further weekend closures throughout the year to complete the redevelopment work of the area.
Work on Junction 10 of the M25 started in the summer two years ago with experts hoping that work on the major motorway will be completed in the summer of 2025.
Drivers travelling to Gatwick or Heathrow Airport, as well as those visiting any Channel ports are being warned of the closure and how they could be affected by the changes.
National Highways, as well as contractor Balfour Beatty, are in constant contact with Surrey County Council, local businesses and Gatwick and Heathrow Airports to minimise issues.
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Preparations are already taking place for the M25 closure
PA
The carriageway between J9 and J11 carries between 4,000 and 6,000 vehicles per hour in each direction between 10am and 9pm on a weekend.
The total cost of the development work is expected to hit £317million by the time all work is finished.