This weekend’s full closure of the M25 along the Surrey stretch is likely to bring major disruption on the roads, drivers have been warned.
National Highways is closing the UK’s busiest motorway from junction 10 (Wisley) to 11 (A320 Chertsey) from 9pm Friday 7 March and will re-open it by 6am Monday 10 March.
The closure is needed for bridge demolition as part of the ongoing junction 10 improvement project. A further weekend closure is planned for Friday 21 March to Monday 24 March.
As with last year’s closures for the same project, drivers have been advised to only travel if necessary and to complete their journeys in other ways if possible.
Those who do travel have been warned to expect delays and leave plenty of time.
National Highways has also urged drivers to follow its travel advice instead of sat-nav diversions, which it says will be key to reducing congestion.
The official diversion route is the same for both directions. If you’re travelling clockwise, you’ll be diverted from the M25 at junction 10 to join the A3 northbound, then at Painshill, take the A245, then the A320 and rejoin the M25 at junction 11.
Drivers going anticlockwise will be diverted from the M25 at junction 11 to join the A320 southbound, then will need to take the A245 to Painshill and take the A3 southbound to rejoin the M25 at junction 10.
Avoiding the closure by taking the M25 via the Dartford Crossing may also be quicker.
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “Without careful planning, drivers could face some really lengthy tailbacks during the eight days of M25 closures that start this weekend. We expect diversion routes, especially along the A3, to become heavily congested.
“Anyone with a ticket to see England’s World Cup qualifying match at Wembley on Friday 21 March should be aware that the fixture clashes with one of the road closures. We’d advise drivers to set off very early, especially if heading to the venue from Sussex and Kent. Public transport will also be extremely busy.
“Those that do decide to drive on either weekend should prepare to spend much longer on the roads and make sure they have plenty of fuel or charge for their trips.”
National Highways has also warned that it will close the A3 in both directions between Junction 10 and Painshill Roundabout/A245 from 11 to 14 April.
The closure will start at 9pm on Friday evening and be lifted by 6am on Monday morning.
The junction 10 improvement scheme, now due to open spring 2026, will increase the number of lanes to make journeys safer and improve traffic flow.
It will also make it easier and safer to enter and exit the M25, provide safer entry roads for Wisley, Pyrford, Old Byfleet and the RHS Garden Wisley, and will reduce the pollution caused by traffic jams.
Latest M25 closure updates and diversion details are available on the National Highways website.
