Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian
Drivers have been told to expect delays this weekend as part of the M25 shuts down for the third time this year.
Major roads in the south-east will be “incredibly busy” this weekend as National Highways closes a section of London’s orbital motorway for roadworks in both directions between junctions 10 and 11 in Surrey, from 9pm on Friday to 6am on Monday, the AA said.
The planned weekend at one of the M25’s busiest points comes as thousands of football fans are expected to make the journey to Berlin for Sunday’s Euro 2024 final to watch England play Spain. The closure could disrupt many journeys to Dover by England supporters embarking on cross-Channel trips before driving to Germany or those heading into London to watch the football.
The motorway is used by airline passengers travelling to, from and between the UK’s two busiest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, as well as by families visiting attractions in the area such as Legoland and Thorpe Park.
Chris Wood, the AA patrol of the year, said: “With many football fans changing their plans following England’s victory over Holland, it’s likely to be incredibly busy in and around London.
“We advise drivers to plan their journey accordingly, avoiding the west side of the M25 if possible, and to check ferry and tunnel operators’ websites for updates before setting off.”
About 4,000-6,000 vehicles an hour normally travel between Junctions 9 and 11 in each direction every hour from 10am until 9pm at weekends.
In a package of works, £317m is being spent to improve junction 10 and will enable the construction of a new bridge on the roundabout at the junction.
The closure in March was the first planned daytime shutdown of the M25 since it opened in 1986.
There had been concerns about congestion during the first of the M25 closures in March and May but lengthy queues did not materialise as many people avoided the area.
The National Highways’ senior project manager, Jonathan Wade has urged drivers not to follow satnav routeing amid concerns of greater gridlock in residential areas if vehicles stray from the official diversion route.
The final two weekend closures as part of the project will take place later this year. The work is due to be completed in the summer of 2025 and will increase the number of lanes at junction 10.
