The M25 is to shut for a full weekend for the third time in history next month - with chaos on the roads expected at the height of summer.
The key motorway around London will close between junctions 10 and 11 from July 12 to 15, as work on the £317million Junction 10 improvement scheme continues.
Drivers are warned to expect delays and are urged to “only travel if necessary”.
“Local residents, holidaymakers, concertgoers and sports fans should plan their journeys in advance and make sure they allow extra time or make alternative travel arrangements,” said National Highways as it announced the closure on Monday morning.
The five-mile stretch will close at 9pm on Friday July 12 and will remain shut in both directions until 6am on Monday July 15.
It will mark the third of five full weekend closures of the M25 to take place, with a further two due later this year on dates that are yet to be announced.National Highways made the unprecedented move of closing the motorway between junctions 10 and 11 in March, to demolish a bridge and install a gantry, bringing chaos to nearby roads.
This was followed by a second closure between junctions 9 and 10 across the weekend of May 10 to May 13.
July’s closure will come on a busy weekend for summer events, including the Henley Royal Regatta and Wireless Festival, and as tens of thousands of people are expected to take to the roads to head on summer holidays.
National Highways and Balfour Beatty Atkins say they are working with emergency services, Gatwick and Heathrow Airports, and Surrey County Council in the run-up to the closure.
The closure will allow the installation of a bridge on the western gyratory of the roundabout at Junction 10m. The previous closure in May saw identical work being carried out on the eastern gyratory.
Jonathan Wade, National Highways Senior Project Manager, said: “The previous two closures have gone well with significant progress being made during both.
“We would urge all drivers to follow the official diversion route as this is the best chance of reaching your destination in good time. Please ignore your satnavs and follow our diversion route instead.”
Diversion routes
Junction 10 - Junction 11: exit the M25 at J10 and take the 3rd exit to the north bound A3 to the A245 Painshill Junction, A245 towards Woking, and Byfleet, then at the Six Crossroads Roundabout take the 5th exit to the A320 continuing to M25 Junction 11 where the diversion will end.
Junction 11 - Junction 10: exit the M25 at J11 and take the 3rd exit to the A320 south towards Woking, then at the Six Crossroads Roundabout take the A245 towards Byfleet, continue on the A245 to the A3 Painshill junction, then take the 3rd exit to the southbound A3 to Junction 10 where the diversion will end.
For more information about the closure and the project visit the National Highways website.
