The M25 will close this weekend for multi-million pound improvement works

One of Britain’s busiest motorways is set to close for another full weekend amid a multi-million pound improvement project. Part of the M25 was closed for several days in March as the National Highways began the Junction 10 Improvement Project, which aims to make motorway travel safer and improve traffic flow.

Visitors and locals alike have been warned to avoid unnecessary travel while the closure between junctions 9 and 10 is in place. The busy stretch, which carries up to 6,000 vehicles an hour, will be closed from 9pm on Friday 10 May and is not due to reopen until 6am on Monday 13 May.

Following the gantry and bridge demolition work that took place between J10 and 11 in March, Highways workers are now planning to install concrete girders for the eastern swing bridge and another large gantry. Diversion routes will be in place around the closure, but motorists are asked to avoid the area as this route is longer.

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Jonathan Wade, senior project manager for National Highways, said: “This is far from a repeat of the previous closure as the alternative routes are longer and will be different for vehicles over the height and any other traffic.

“Drivers heeded our advice last time, which reduced traffic levels on the motorway by more than two-thirds and meant delays were limited. Our advice is again that please only travel if absolutely necessary and make sure you allow extra time if you choose to use the M25.”

The project will close the M25 for a total of five weekends this year as part of the improvement scheme, with a further three expected between July and the end of the year. The scheme will see an increase in the number of lanes to make journeys safer and a new junction layout to improve traffic flow. It will also make it even safer to get on and off the M25 and reduce congestion pollution.

Local residents, tourists, concertgoers and sports fans should plan their trips in advance and make sure to allow extra time or make alternative travel arrangements. Four diversion routes will be available throughout the weekend, depending on where you’re traveling and what kind of vehicle you’re in.

Motorists following these routes will not be subject to any ultra-low emission zone charges that may normally apply, National Highways said.

Clockwise diversion route (Gatwick to Heathrow) for most traffic:

Leave the M25 at junction 8, A217 (Reigate). Follow 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 turn left onto the A3 Portsmouth, Guildford. Continue 9½ miles to the M25 and rejoin the motorway at junction 10.

Clockwise diversion route (Gatwick to Heathrow) for over height vehicles (over 15’0 / 4.6m):

Leave the M25 at Junction 9 of the A243 (Leatherhead). Follow A243 London, Hook, Chessington. After 6 miles turn left onto A309 Esher, Staines, (A3) Guildford, Portsmouth. After 1½ miles turn left onto A307 Esher, Guildford A3. After 4½ miles, in Cobham, turn right onto the A245 M25, Guildford A3, Weybridge, Woking. After ½ mile turn left onto the A3 Portsmouth Guildford. Continue for 1 mile and re-enter the motorway at J10.

Counter-clockwise diversion route (Heathrow to Gatwick) for most traffic:

Leave the M25 at junction 10 to join the A3 towards London. After 9½ miles at the Hook junction, leave the A3 bearing 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 join the M25 at junction 8.

Counter-clockwise diversion route (Heathrow to Gatwick) for over-height vehicles (over 15’0 / 4.6m):

Leave the M25 at junction 10 to join the A3 towards London. After 1 mile, at the Painshill junction, leave the A3 bearing right onto the A245 Cobham (A307 Esher). After ½ mile turn left onto the A307 Esher. Continue for 4½ miles then turn right onto the A309 London, Sutton. Continue for a further 2 miles to the Hook junction and turn right onto the A243 Dorking. After 6 miles turn left to rejoin the M25 at junction 9.