THE M25, one of Britain’s busiest motorways, will close again before the end of the year, resulting in ‘unprecedented’ traffic chaos.
A series of shutdowns related to a £317 million infrastructure project have hit the route, which carries around 300,000 motors a day, in recent months.
The work, largely occurring between J10 and J11 in Surrey, involves the installation of a series of new junctions and bridges designed to “reduce congestion, create a smoother flow of traffic and provide safer journeys”.
This will include a first-of-its-kind “heathland” bridge to allow pedestrians and wildlife to move safely across the motorway, as well as special access for cyclists and horse riders.
Just last weekend, the five-mile stretch of road was completely closed from Friday night into Monday morning.
Photos showed cars piling up on the smaller relief roads, likely including some who were trying to get to Berlin via Gatwick or Heathrow to watch the Three Lions in the Euro 2024 final.
Drivers were sent on a 10-mile diversion through Surrey A-roads in order to get around the blocked-off section.
The closures are “unprecedented” as it is the first time that the M25 has shut in both directions during daylight hours since it opened in 1986.
Now National Highways, which is carrying out the work, has confirmed another closure in the next few months.
While no exact date was given, the closure will take place between “now and this Autumn”.
It will be the fourth this year, with a pair across April and May before a gap in June to accommodate early holidaymakers ahead of the weekend’s disruption.
The shutdown is expected to affect the same stretch of road with a similar diversion route in place.
While it is ongoing, Brits are urged to “only travel if necessary”.
Those who do take on the journey are advised to “ignore” their sat navs to avoid being led off the official diversion route, leaving them t risk of fines and ULEZ.
Charges like ULEZ are suspended along the diversion while the M25 is closed.
Jonathan Wade, senior project manager for National Highways, said: “Our advice is please only travel if absolutely necessary and make sure you give yourself extra time if you do choose to use the M25.”
It comes after another major motorway ground to a halt after a lorry carrying fairground rides burst into flames.
