NATIONAL Highways have issued an urgent warning to drivers as one the UK’s biggest motorways shuts for the weekend.
They has urged drivers to re-plan their routes as they carry out much-needed renovations on one of the most-used routes.
The M25 is used by an estimated 73 million drivers per year, but it will be closed in both directions from March 7 until 6am on March 11.
Closures will be limited to Junction 10 and 11, but this is expected to have a devastating impact on Brits’ travel plans.
Journeys to Gatwick and Heathrow, some of the UK’s busiest airports, are expected to be disrupted by the closures.
National Highways Senior Project Manager Jonathan Wade said: “We were grateful to drivers who listened to our advice during the three weekend closures last year and I’d again urge them to only use the motorway if their journey is absolutely necessary.
“Unfortunately, it’s simply not possible to carry out this scale of infrastructure improvement, which will benefit millions of people in the long term, without there being some degree of short-term disruption.
“We have spent months planning these closures, but they will still cause significant congestion and delays, so we are asking road users to allow extra time and use alternative routes where possible.
“Please follow our official diversion routes and not information from satnavs.”
Diversions will be put in place to support motorists, but they will add significant delays to car journeys.
Drivers heading clockwise will be diverted onto the A3 northbound, the A245 and A320 before rejoining the M25.
Those heading anti-clockwise will be forced to do the reverse journey.
However, drivers have also been warned that these are not the only planned closures taking place this spring.
Junctions 10 and 11 will be closed once again at 9pm on March 21 and will reopen at 6am on March 24.
The repairs to the road were originally planned to take place in 2024, but were postponed due to “extreme weather” conditions.
The UK was battered by Storm Bert, Darragh, and Eowyn from November 2024 until January 2025.
Wind speeds of up to 114mph meant that many projects were unable to take place.
However, National Highways have assured motorists that they have timed the new closures so that they cause as little disruption as possible.
M25 Closures: March 8-11 diversions
The busiest junction on the M25 will close from March 8 until March 11.
To support motorists, National Highways have revealed the diversion routes that will be put in place.
Clockwise: Diversions will begin at Junction 10 and will send drivers down the A3 northbound. They will then swap onto the A245 and the A320 before rejoining the M25 at Junction 11.
Anti-clockwise: Drivers will exit the M25 at Junction 11 before joining the A320 southbound. Next, they will head onto the A245 and the A3. Then, they will rejoin the motorway at junction 10.
