Urgent warning to drivers as part of M25 set to shut during ‘peak holiday season’ sparking getaway chaos for millions
DRIVERS have been given an urgent warning over future traffic chaos as more M25 closures are set to be announced during “peak holiday” travel season.
More major improvement works are being done on the mammoth motorway this summer as part of a mega £317million project that is all but guaranteed to plague millions of holidaymakers and families.
National Highways Senior Project Manager Jonathan Wade has noted that the timing of the fresh roadworks between junctions eight and nine aren’t ideal.
He said they are being forced to undertake the work during the “peak holiday season”.
Wade told The Telegraph about the plans for the doomed closure: “The next one is scheduled for August.
“That’s still to be confirmed, but at the moment it’s been planned for August. At that time, you’re obviously into peak holiday season.”
August is one of the busiest times of the year for families as it is in the middle of school summer holidays.
This means millions of kids and their parents are expected to be out and about during the hot days – leading to more traffic than usual as it is.
Another huge issue could stem from holidaymakers jetting off in August.
Typically airports are at their busiest in July and August with Gatwick Airport – the UK’s biggest travel hub – being accessed by many through the M25.
Sparking potential travel chaos in and out of the airport.
The dilemma was put to Gatwick Airport by GB News as they said: “Passengers driving to the airport are advised to check diversion routes before they travel and allow extra time for potential delays.
“Gatwick’s train station is well connected and is a great alternative option for people travelling to the airport.”
Heathrow Airport is also expected to face travel delays due to the closures.
Any diversion routes are likely to consist of a brutal 19-mile drive for motorists.
The hopes are the short term problems will prove to benefit all drivers soon enough as they updates aim to restore and upgrade the junctions.
This should help to reduce congestion and improve safety for motorists.
The number of lanes will also be increased making it easier to enter and exit the M25 at Junction 10
The stretch of road is one of the UK’s busiest and most dangerous motorway junctions.
A spokesperson for National Highways did add that an exact date hasn’t been confirmed yet however saying any announcements are subject to change.
Planned M25 closures in 2024 and beyond
The years first closures took place on March 15, between junctions 10 and 11 in Surrey on the UKs largest motorway.
They lasted over the weekend with the road only reopening on Monday March 17.
The second set of closures are happening this weekend, starting at 9pm on Friday evening and lasting until 6am on Monday morning.
This time it’s junctions nine and 10 that will be shut both ways.
August is the next planned date for closures which will see everything between junctions eight and nine shut down for the weekend.
National Highways say they intend to close the M25 over two more weekends before the end of the year.
The dates are currently unconfirmed.
They said in a recent statement: “The remaining closures will take place between July and the end of 2024.
“We will be in a position to announce the date of the next closure as soon as the May closure is over.”
The £317million project began in the summer of 2022 and is expected to be finally wrapped up in the summer of 2025.
It comes as the latest closure is due this weekend.
A four-mile portion of the M25 will close between 9pm on Friday evening and 6am on Monday morning.
This will mark just the second time part of the M25 will have fully shut down during daylight hours in its 50-year history.
Work will see a concrete beam be installed for a new bridge, followed by a gantry being put in place.
A diversion will take cars on a 19-mile journey on A roads, crossing from Surrey into South London.
The route will leave drivers inside London’s Ulez area.
The National Highways have assured drivers that “no enforcement action would take place,” as long as they stick to the diverted route.
Motorists who ignore the diversion risk having to pay the daily Ulez fee.
Failure to do so when required can lead to a £180 fine.
There has already been one previous major weekend closure of the M25 in the last 12 months with an additional two also planned before the end of the year.
One weekend in March descended into utter chaos with the shut down leaving drivers sat in three miles of traffic fuming.
A disgruntled councillor even labelled the closures a “nightmare”.
