From the non-stop train strikes to the regular flight delays, public transport in the UK certainly isn’t the most reliable. But at least we’d be fine if we just took the car instead, right? Wrong. There’s set to be some major disruption on the UK’s biggest motorway this weekend.
Drivers are being warned of delays and chock-a-block traffic this weekend when a large part of the M25 shuts for whole three days straight. People won’t be able to travel between junctions 10 and 11 in Surrey, which is a five mile stretch between Wisley and Chertsey. So, if you were planning a road-trip and it’ll take you down that way, you might want to think twice.
Worried about the M25’s closure impacting your travel this weekend? Here is everything you need to know about it.
When is the M25 closing in March?
The M25 will be shut off from 9am on Friday March 15 until 6am on Monday March 18.
Where is the M25 closed exactly?
The motorway will close between junctions 10 and 11 in both directions.
Why is it closing?
It’s so that workers can get started on a huge £317 million project that’s aiming to make journeys safer and reduce pollution. This closure is to make way for the Clearmount bridleway bridge to be demolished and a gantry to be installed.
Has the M25 ever closed before?
This is the first ever planned full closure of the M25 since in opened in 1986.
What is the diversion route?
The map below was created by National Highways and shows the diversion route in blue. But be warned: it’s likely to get very, very congested. Drivers are being warned to specifically follow official diversions, and not to rely on satnavs.
How bad will the impact be?
It’s predicted that more than 200,000 vehicles will be impacted by the closure. That’s not just ones that intended to travel on the M25 but also those on surrounding roads and motorways.
What’s the advice for drivers?
Jonathon Wade, project lead at National Highways, warned that ‘drivers should only use the M25 if their journey is absolutely necessary’. Keep away, if you can. As above, also rely on official diversions rather than satnavs and satnav apps.
What’s the best way to get to Heathrow and Gatwick?
First of all, make sure you set off as early as possible. The easiest alternative way to get to both airports is via train from central London.
From London you can get to Heathrow via the Elizabeth line from Farringdon. That’ll take around 90 minutes. There’s also the Heathrow Express from London Paddington, or the Piccadilly line to terminals two, three, four or five.
For Gatwick you can get direct trains from London Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon, London St Pancras and London Bridge. Alternatively, you could hop on the Gatwick Express from London Victoria, which takes just 30 minutes. Great Western Railway runs services between the airport and Reading.
Will coaches be running?
They will be. A spokesperson for National Express said: ‘National Express will continue to operate services along diverted routes during next weekend’s closure of the M25 between junctions 10 and 11.
‘Delays are expected and customers are advised to allow plenty of time for their journey.
‘We are contacting customers who are affected by the weekend’s diversion to offer a free amendment to their ticket should they wish to change their travel plans.’
Is the closure a one-off?
Sadly, no. This closure marks the only the first of five closures on the M25 between now and September. The exact dates for the other shut downs haven’t been announced yet, but we’ll keep you updated when they are.
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