Drivers have been issued with and urgent warning of the second major closure of the M25 this ear as work takes place to complete a £317million improvement project.
From this evening (Friday, May 10), the M25 will be shut between junctions nine (A243 Leatherhead) and 10 (A3 Wisley) from 9pm until 6am on Monday, May 13.
National Highways has warned that drivers will likely deal with delays as thousands look to use the popular stretch of motorway, with people needing to use a key diversion route instead.
Workers will close the M25 to lift concrete beams into place for the development of the eastern gyratory bridge, in addition to installing a new gantry.
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The M25 will be closed for the second time this year
PA
As part of the work, drivers are being urged to plan their trips in advance to ensure they are not left stuck in hours worth of traffic to try and reach their destination.
While National Highways has unveiled several diversion routes to help motorists, it has warned that people trying to find a quicker route by avoiding the new route could be hit with Ulez fines.
By avoiding the 19-mile diversion route, drivers could travel inside the expanded Ulez charging area and could be hit with an expensive £12.50 daily fine.
Jonathan Wade, senior project manager at National Highways, said motorists would be "perfectly safe" as long as they follow the diversion routes and ignore some sat navs taking drivers on minor roads.
He added: “This is far from a repeat of the previous closure, as the alternative routes are longer and will be different for over-height vehicles and all other traffic.
“Drivers listened to our advice last time which reduced motorway traffic levels by over two-thirds and meant delays were limited.
“Our advice again is please only travel if absolutely necessary and make sure you give yourself extra time if you do choose to use the M25.”
Surrey County Council has warned that Surrey Day, which takes place on Saturday, May 11, will continue, and invites people to take part despite the closure of the major motorway.
This is the second planned daytime closure of the major motorway so far this year, with National Highways stating that three further closures will take place between August and the rest of the year.
Some drivers could also face issues when travelling to Gatwick and Heathrow airports or they could face lengthy delays and potentially miss their flights.
A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport told GB News: "Passengers driving to the airport are advised to check diversion routes before they travel and allow extra time for potential delays.
“Gatwick’s train station is well connected and is a great alternative option for people travelling to the airport this weekend.”
GB News has contacted Heathrow Airport for a comment.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
National Highways has unveiled a number of diversion routes
PA
National Highways has provided guidance for drivers looking to travel and avoid the M25 closure for the majority of traffic.
Diversion route clockwise (from Gatwick towards Heathrow) for most traffic:
Leave the M25 at J8, A217 (Reigate). Follow the A217 London, Sutton, (A240) Kingston. After three and a half miles turn left onto the A240 Epsom, Kingston. After three miles at the Esso roundabout, turn right onto the A24 (A240) Kingston. Continue for three miles and turn left onto the A3 Portsmouth, Guildford. Continue for nine and a half miles to the M25 and re-join the motorway at junction 10.
Diversion route anticlockwise (from Heathrow towards Gatwick) for most traffic:
Leave the M25 at junction 10 to join the A3 towards London. After nine and a half miles at the Hook interchange leave the A3 turning right onto the A240 Epsom, Reigate. Continue for three miles to the Esso roundabout and turn left onto the A240 Reigate. Continue for three miles then turn right onto the A217 Reigate, M25. After three and a half miles turn left to re-join the M25 motorway at J8.