M25 Weekend Closures: National Highways Urge Drivers to Follow ULEZ Avoidance Routes

Drivers in the United Kingdom are being alerted to significant closures on the M25 motorway scheduled for the weekends of October 4, October 18, and November 1. These closures affect junction 10, one of the busiest sections of the M25, with more than 300,000 vehicles passing daily. The aim is to facilitate a three-year, £317 million project to improve the motorway.

The closures will commence at 9:00 PM on Fridays and conclude at 6:00 AM on Mondays, as reported by National Highways. During these periods, motorists will be unable to use slip roads to enter or exit the M25 or the A3, prompting drivers to navigate alternative diversion routes.

National Highways has assured that the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), covering all London boroughs since August 2023, will remain active during these closures. However, they have designed diversion routes to help drivers avoid the ULEZ charges, which stand at £12.50 daily for non-compliant vehicles.

A spokesperson for National Highways advised, “While the Ultra Low Emission Zone across London will remain in force during these closures, the signed diversion routes have been designed to ensure that drivers would avoid any charges.” This advice includes the recommendation for drivers to consult Transport for London‘s website to confirm whether their vehicles are compliant.

The diversion strategy includes seven routes, two of which involve passing through the A243 near Chessington World of Adventures, an area within the ULEZ. Thorough planning of journeys is recommended, and drivers are advised to allocate extra travel time during these weekends.

In addition to weekend closures, National Highways has scheduled overnight closures leading up to September 27, affecting various slip roads and sections of the A3. These measures are intended to enhance travel safety, improve traffic flow, and increase road capacity, ultimately supporting local and national economic growth.

Motorists are encouraged to consider public transportation as an alternative during the closure weekends. Meanwhile, the BBC has reached out to Transport for London for clarification on how the monitoring and charging of diverting non-compliant vehicles will be implemented.