Drivers on the M25 face significant travel disruptions this weekend as a crucial section of the motorway is set to close for an entire weekend. From 9pm on Friday, March 21, 2025, until 6am on Monday, March 24, the M25 will be shut between junction 10 (Wisley) and junction 11 (A320 Chertsey). This closure marks the final full closure as part of the £317 million upgrade works that have been ongoing since 2022.
The timing of this latest closure is particularly problematic. It coincides with England’s FIFA World Cup qualifying match at Wembley Stadium on the same Friday night. With the match expected to draw large crowds, officials from National Highways are urging drivers to carefully consider their travel plans.
Jonathan Wade, a senior project manager at National Highways, emphasized the importance of allowing extra travel time and using officially designated diversion routes instead of relying solely on navigation apps. “We are now on the home straight of this complex project, and we are pleased to say this is the last time the M25 will be closed over a full weekend,” he stated.
During previous closures, including one earlier this month, traffic volumes surged, contributing to significant congestion. “Two weeks ago, we saw higher levels of traffic than in the previous three closures, and it caused significant disruption and delays in local areas,” Wade added. This weekend, specific diversion routes have been established for those driving in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions.
For drivers traveling clockwise, the suggested route will take them off the M25 at junction 10 to join the A3 northbound. After that, they will follow the A245 and A320, before rejoining the M25 at junction 11. Conversely, those traveling in the opposite direction will be diverted off the motorway at junction 11 onto the A320 southbound, then will take the A245 and A3 to rejoin the M25 at junction 10.
With over 270,000 vehicles passing through junction 10 daily, the impact of this closure extends beyond simple inconvenience—it affects local businesses significantly.
Stephen Bungay, owner of Ockham Bites café located near junction 10, reported that sales have plummeted due to the ongoing roadworks. “Sales have dropped from around £800-£900 a day to about £200,” he lamented, highlighting the severe financial strain these disruptions have imposed on his business over the last month. “The past months since the works started have been very stressful,” he continued, discussing the toll on his health as well.
Bungay explained that traffic woes have caused visitors to avoid the area, leading to decreasing patronage at his establishment. “I'm holding out, but it’s very stressful,” he added, noting that he has even had to change his living situation in response to the financial difficulties created by the roadworks. “I suffer from Barrett’s Oesophagus and stress makes my condition worse,” he revealed, emphasizing the profound effects on his quality of life.
While some local business owners voice their challenges amidst the upgrade process, others, like Duncan MacBryde, owner of Duncan’s Dog Co., are supportive of the long-term improvements. “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 expressed optimistically.
In addition to the M25 closures, the Dartford Tunnel, which also experiences heavy traffic on a regular basis, will undergo overnight closures throughout the weekend. Motorists should be prepared for extensive delays as they navigate these diversions, especially as the closures overlap with a busy night for football fans.
RAC’s spokesperson, Alice Simpson, stressed the importance of planning ahead. “Without careful planning, drivers could face some really lengthy tailbacks during the eight days of M25 closures that start this weekend,” she cautioned, predicting heavy congestion on diversion routes, mainly along the A3.
She also reminded visitors attending the World Cup match to adjust their travel times accordingly, stating, “We encourage football fans to seek alternative routes where possible or use public transport to minimize queuing in traffic.”
The expected traffic chaos this weekend serves as a reminder of the trade-offs between short-term inconvenience and long-term benefits associated with these extensive upgrades. National Highways representatives have expressed gratitude for the public's patience throughout the process, indicating that such significant undertakings are necessary to enhance safety and efficiency on one of the nation’s busiest motorways.
Ultimately, while the projected delays this weekend may be frustrating, the future improvements aim to bolster traffic flow and safety, paving the way for a more efficient road network for countless travelers and local residents.
