National Highways warns 'stick on prescribed diversion route' as M25 closed over weekend
One of the most used stretches of the M25 will be closed during the weekend, with National Highways warning drivers to stick to the diversion route.
National Highways has warned drivers that a five-mile stretch of the M25 will be shut throughout the weekend.
The famous motorway that surrounds London will be closed in either direction from junctions 10 to 11, near Woking and Byfleet, from 9pm on Friday March 15 ,2024, and will not be reopened until around 6am on Monday March 18, 2024.
Speaking to PA News Agency, Jonathan Wade, project lead at National Highways, suggested that drivers can avoid a lot of hassle on the roads by ignoring their vehicle's sat-nav systems and following the diversion route.
He advised: "There's probably a greater risk of congestion by people just doing their own thing and thinking they can perhaps beat the signs and find a shorter or quicker route.
"That will cause further congestion on some of the key junctions so please avoid doing that if at all possible."
The closure will be the first time that an entire stretch of the M25 has been shut during daytime since the major motorway first opened to the public in 1986.
National Highways' diversion route will take motorists off the M25 at junction 10 and northbound on the A3 before joining the A245 towards Woking and finally the A320 back towards junction 11 of the motorway.
The organisation estimates that the diversion will typically add an hour to journeys, warning drivers to only travel in the area if it is strictly necessary.
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According to National Highways, the popular stretch of the M25 will be closed in order to demolish a bridge and fit a new overhead gantry to display speed limits and lane closures.
There are also plans to increase the number of lanes on the motorway to five in either direction, which the organisation claims will make it easier to join and leave.
The organisation also hopes that adding five-lane stretches to the M25 will encourage more motorists to use it, easing traffic on surrounding roads to make it safer for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.
Daniel Kitteredge, senior project manager at National Highways, recommended that motorists who stray from diversions could cause further problems on the roads.
He added: "If people move away from diversion routes that we prescribe, it creates additional issues in different parts of the road network.
"The majority of the time that will be local roads, so that really impacts residents in those particular areas. Stick on the prescribed diversion route. It's going to be more suitable for your journey."