M25 Closure Sparks Traffic Chaos in South London

The anticipated closure of a section of the M25, one of London‘s busiest motorways, between Junctions 10 and 11 in Surrey has thrown the region into chaos. The closure, scheduled for the weekend, is set to facilitate the demolition of a bridge and the installation of a new gantry, marking the first daytime shutdown of this scale since the motorway’s inauguration in 1986.

National Highways, the overseeing body, has issued warnings urging drivers to stay away from the area during the closure. With an average of 5,000 vehicles passing through the affected stretch per hour on weekends, local residents and businesses in Painshill, Byfleet, and West Byfleet are bracing for unprecedented levels of traffic congestion and disruptions.

Renowned travel expert, Simon Calder, has highlighted the potential ripple effects of the M25 closure. The diversion of traffic to alternative routes is expected to place undue pressure on surrounding motorways and roads, particularly impacting areas like the South Circular A205, which could experience intensified congestion during the closure period.

As the closure coincides with the Easter getaway and the weekend rush, RAC breakdown spokesperson, Alice Simpson, has advised drivers to plan their journeys meticulously. Drivers heading to Gatwick and Heathrow airports are cautioned to anticipate extended travel times and heavy congestion, with alternative routes likely to be overcrowded and delays inevitable.

National Highways, despite extensive planning and the provision of diversion routes, anticipates significant congestion and delays during the closure. Drivers are instructed to strictly adhere to the official diversion routes along the A3, A245, and A320, discouraging reliance on navigational devices that may suggest unapproved shortcuts.

In an effort to assist travellers navigating between Heathrow and Gatwick airports, Simon Calder recommends a two-stage approach involving the Elizabeth Line to Farringdon and Thameslink trains to East Croydon. This alternative route aims to mitigate the impact of the M25 shutdown on airport-bound passengers, offering a more manageable travel option.