Drivers on the M25 face travel chaos this weekend due to a closure at junction 10 and Dartford Tunnel overnight works.
The M25 will be closed from junction 10 (Wisley) to junction 11 (A320 Chertsey) this weekend – the final weekend closure as part of the upgrade works.
It clashes with England’s Fifa World Cup qualifying match at Wembley on Friday, drivers were warned.
Junction 10 will shut from 9pm on Friday, March 21, and it is set to reopen by 6am on Monday, March 24 – just in time for the morning rush hour traffic.
The Wisley Interchange junction area has been undergoing a £317,000,000 upgrade since 2022 to add more lanes and new bridges to the busiest section of M25 – but the works have been delayed due to ‘extreme weather’ last year, National Highways said.
Map shows where M25 weekend closures take place
National Highways urged drivers to ‘think carefully about travel plans during this closure.’
It said the diversion routes were busier during the previous March 7-10 closure’than on similar closures last year.’
Drivers should use the motorways and nearby roads only if ‘absolutely necessary,’ allow extra time and follow official diversions instead of your sat-nav, National Highways said.
List of M25 March weekend road closures
The M25 closes between junctions 10 and 11 on the following weekends:
- Between 9pm on Friday, March 7 and 6am on Monday, March 10
- Between 9pm on Friday, March 21 and 6am on Monday, March 24
The A3 will close in both directions between junction 10 and Painshill Roundabout/A245 between April 11 and 14.
Motoring expert RAC warned that diversion routes, especially along the A3, are likely to become ‘heavily congested.’
Those heading to see England’s World Cup qualifying match at Wembley on Friday, March 21, should ‘be aware that the fixture clashes with one of the M25 road closures,’ RAC’s breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said.
‘We’d advise drivers to set off very early, especially if heading to the venue from Sussex and Kent. Public transport will also be extremely busy,’ she said.
More than 270,000 vehicles travel through junction 10 every day, making it the busiest section on the London Orbital Motorway.
Dartford Crossing overnight closures
The Dartford Crossing – which sees more than 180,000 vehicles each day – is undergoing maintenance works on the A282 connecting the M25.
The Dartford tunnel has seen a spate of overnight closures this week and here are the upcoming closures this weekend:
- Dartford west tunnel closes from Friday, March 21 9pm until 6am on Saturday, March 22
- Dartford west tunnel shuts from 10pm on Saturday, March 22 until 5am on Sunday
- Dartford east tunnel will be closed from 10pm on Sunday, March 23 until 5am on Monday, March 24
‘M25 closures have ruined my business’
Businesses, residents and drivers near junction 10 are braced themselves for further chaos and uncertainty ahead of the spate of March closures.
One of those affected was Stephen Bungay, owner of Ockham Bites cafe located just off the junction.
Visitor attractions such as the RHS Gardens Wisley, pubs and cafes have seen visitor numbers dwindle as people ‘avoid the area.’
Bungay, whose cafe is located some yards from the junction, said the past months since the works started have been ‘very stressful,’ impacting his income and health.
Sales have dropped from around £800-£900 a day to about £200, he told Metro previously.
The cafe has attracted visitors and regulars alike for the past 25 years, but the weekend closures have made people to ‘avoid the area because there is so much congestion,’ he said.
Stephen said the works have ‘taken a toll’ financially and emotionally, forcing him to move to a more affordable home and dealing with ‘major stress.’
‘I suffer from Barrett’s Oesophagus and stress makes my condition worse, affecting my sleep because of acid reflux caused by stress, so leaving me constantly tired,’ he revealed.
He claimed workers from the M25 site have used the cafe toilets ‘constantly,’ which has left Stephen shouldering electricity, toilet roll and cleaning costs while ‘National Highways are saving on portaloos.’
Surrey County Council has been ‘really fair’ and they halved the cafe rent, Stephen said, adding that locals have been ‘fantastic’ with their support.
‘I’m holding out, but it’s very stressful,’ he added.
There is no recourse for compensation for businesses that have suffered losses caused by traffic flow disruption due to roadworks.
However, some locals welcomed the works and said it has not affected them.
Duncan MacBryde, the owner of Duncan’s Dog Co doggy daycare near junction 10, said the works ‘needed to be done’ as the junction ‘was a mess.’
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‘You have to break a few eggs to make an omelette. We will have a brand new junction. At the end of the day, we have to do it,’ he said.
A National Highways spokesperson said: ‘We are grateful to people for their patience and understanding while this complex but much-needed upgrade is being carried out.
‘This important project will reduce congestion, improve safety, and bring economic and environmental benefits to the local community.’
This story was first published on March 4.
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