No through road: this weekend will see the biggest closure of the M25 since 1986
Motorists who might usually use routes through Croydon to or from Surrey and Kent are being advised to leave their vehicles at home and take the train ahead of this weekend’s roadworks on the M25 – the biggest closure of the world’s biggest ring road since it was fully opened nearly 40 years ago.
Traffic congestion and chaos through towns around the M25 from Chertsey to Cobham is anticipated, while international travellers are being told to avoid the roads on their way to or from Gatwick and Heathrow airports and the Channel ports of Dover and Folkestone.
The closure of a five-mile stretch of motorway between Junctions 10 and 11 from 9pm tonight until Monday morning is to allow the demolition of a bridge and construction of a new gantry as part of an upgrade.
Best avoided: the M25 closures planned from tonight, and the 11-mile diversion offered to travel around it
Jonathan Wade, from National Highways, told drivers to “avoid the area entirely, change their plans… or take the train”.
Wade told local BBC radio: “Drivers should only use the M25 if their journey is absolutely necessary.”
He also warned drivers to avoid using their SatNavs, but to follow signage in the area.
Official diversions to travel around the closed section of motorway are reckoned to be 11 miles long.
Steve Gooding, from the RAC Foundation, said: “For drivers who’ve already had their patience tried by the queues at the Junction 10 works, the phrase ‘you ain’t seen nothing yet’ springs to mind.”
He may have a point: this weekend’s closure will be the first of five between now and September as part of a £317million upgrade project.
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