M25 closure – live: Motorway section reopens as National Highways issues update
Junctions 9 and 10 in Surrey reopen on Monday morning following maintenance work
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There was slow moving traffic on parts of the M25 in Surrey on Monday morning as a section of the motorway closed over the weekend for maintenance reopened.
Tailbacks were reported between junctions 9 and 10, closed over the weekend, and on the A243 and A3 - near both junctions.
London’s orbital motorway, the busiest in the UK, was closed over weekend between Junctions 9 and 10 for maintenance.
National Highways said it made “good progress” on installing a new gantry and a new gyratory bridge on a section of the motorway.
Diversion routes tool cars on a 19-mile journey on A roads, crossing from Surrey into London’s Ulez area, though National Highways has assured drivers “no enforcement action will be taken” against those who follow official routes.
ICYMI: Official diversion routes this weekend
Clockwise diversion for all but over-height vehicles:
- leave M25 at junction 8, A217 (Reigate)
- follow the A217 London, Sutton, (A240) Kingston
- after 3½ miles turn left onto the A240 Epsom, Kingston
- after 3 miles at the Esso roundabout, turn right onto the A24 (A240) Kingston
- continue for 3 miles and at the Tolworth interchange turn left onto the A3 Portsmouth, Guildford
- continue for 9½ miles to the M25 and re-join the motorway at junction 10
Anticlockwise diversion for all but over-height vehicles:
- leave M25 at junction 10 to join the A3 towards London
- after 9½ miles at the Tolworth interchange leave the A3 turning right onto the A240 Epsom, Reigate
- continue for 3 miles to the Esso roundabout and turn left onto the A240 Reigate
- continue for 3 miles then turn right onto the A217 Reigate, M25
- after 3½ miles turn left to re-join the M25 motorway at junction 8.
Drivers using the signed diversion route won’t be subject to any Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges that may usually apply. The Ultra Low Emission Zone will remain in force on all other routes in London across the weekend.
Why is the M25 closed again this weekend and how bad is the traffic?
“Only travel if necessary”: that was the message from National Highways ahead of the second weekend shutdown of the M25.
A 10-mile stretch of London’s orbital motorway closed between junctions 9 and 10, southwest of the capital, from 9pm on Friday 10 May until 6am on Monday 13 May 2024.
Full report:
Why is the M25 closed again this weekend and how bad is the traffic?
The motorway is closed between junctions 9 and 10 with a 19-mile signposted diversion in place
ICYMI: Drivers urged to pack extra food and drink if planning to travel on M25
The RAC advised motorists to avoid travelling if possible and pack extra food and drink if they plan on using the M25 this weekend as stretches of the motorway shut for the entire weekend.
Alice Simpson, RAC breakdown spokesperson, said: “As this next M25 weekend closure immediately follows major national rail strikes which could see many more people take to the roads, it could be up to six days of disrupted travel for London’s drivers.
“The closures also coincide with the retrofitting of new emergency areas on all-lane-running stretches of the M25, meaning delays are likely between junctions 5 and 7 in Surrey and Kent and junctions 23-27 in Hertfordshire and Essex.
“With weekend temperatures reaching 25 degrees or even higher, it’s likely that routes around the 23-mile diversion will be busy as people make the most of the fine weather and jump in the car for day trips.
“Anyone heading to Chessington World of Adventures, which is close to the official A3 diversion route, should expect delays and pack extra food and drink in the event they’re on the road longer than expected.
“Holidaymakers heading to Gatwick or Heathrow should leave an hour earlier than usual and allow plenty of time for parking and security checks.”
‘19 mile diversion in place'
Transport correspondent Simon Calder has been warning drivers they could be facing a 19 mile diversion as on the “really key stretch of the M25” between junction 9 and 10.
He told Times Radio: “The diversion goes a long way into London.
“The M25 has been complete for nearly four decades therefore there is lots of it that hasn’t turned out right.
“Towards the A3 junction, the busiest junction on the M25 300,000 cars a day, but it’s a right old muddle.
“They plan to improve the junction for horseriders and cyclists.
“They are closing it for five weekends this year.”
He adds is going to be messy between Heathrow and Gatwick airports with coach travel expected to take at least an hour longer.
Lorries snaking their way through suburbs after M25 closures
Huge HGVs dwarf shoppers as they are forced through Esher high road in Surrey by the diversion.
Good progress on M25 works made despite drivers ignoring diversion
Good progress has been made on the first full day of the M25’s weekend closure, National Highways has said, but drivers are being urged to stick to the official diversion route in a bid to keep traffic moving smoothly.
The motorway – which is Britain’s busiest – closed in both directions between junctions 9 and 10 in Surrey from 9pm on Friday while concrete beams for a new bridge are installed. It will reopen at 6am on Monday.
Diversion routes take cars on a 19-mile journey on A roads, crossing from Surrey into London’s Ulez area, though National Highways has assured drivers “no enforcement action will be taken”.
However, the highways authority said anyone who ignores official diversion signs in an attempt to find shorter alternative routes will be liable for the £12.50 daily Ulez fee if their vehicle does not meet minimum emissions standards.
Failure to pay the charge when required can result in a £180 fine, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
Mapped: 19-mile diversion route will be in place which uses the A3 and the A240
Will M25 diversion drivers be charged ULEZ?
Diversion routes take cars on a 19-mile journey on A roads, crossing from Surrey into London’s Ulez area, though National Highways has assured drivers “no enforcement action will be taken”.
However, the highways authority said anyone who ignores official diversion signs in an attempt to find shorter alternative routes will be liable for the £12.50 daily Ulez fee if their vehicle does not meet minimum emissions standards.
Failure to pay the charge when required can result in a £180 fine, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
More motorists ignoring diversions
National Highways said they had seen an increasing number of motorists choosing to ignore the diversion route, starting at junction 8, and instead continuing on the motorway to the next junction.
Simon Elliott, National Highways senior project manager, said it was “important that drivers follow the diversion route in place”.
He said in a statement: “It is the most effective way for people travelling clockwise along the M25 to reach their destination and will help keep traffic moving as well as possible during this weekend’s closure.
“Coming off at junction 9 means non-freight drivers will end up travelling behind or alongside HGVs which is something we are actively trying to avoid and is likely to have a negative impact on travel times, congestion and the communities they pass through.”
In Pictures: M25 repairs see Bridge winched into place
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