Weekend Closure of M25 Road: Anticipate 'Extremely Congested' Journeys

Motorists should prepare for potential delays over the upcoming weekend, following news that a segment of the M25 will temporarily close as part of ongoing road improvements. The closure spans between junctions 10 and 11 in Surrey from Friday evening until early Monday morning.

The scheduled work coincides with anticipated high traffic volumes due to England's football team competing in the Euro 2024 final against Spain, which is expected to draw large crowds heading towards Berlin. The timing of this closure may affect travel plans for those visiting Dover or fans planning to attend the match before catching a flight at London's airports like Heathrow and Gatwick.

According to Chris Wood from AA patrol services, with many supporters altering their travel intentions post-England’s victory over Holland, he advises motorists to avoid westbound M25 routes during this period if possible. It's suggested they also monitor updates on ferry and tunnel schedules prior to departure.

Traffic flow between Junctions 9 and 11 normally sees up to 6,000 vehicles per hour at peak times throughout the weekends. The closure aligns with a larger initiative worth £317m aimed at enhancing junction 10's infrastructure, including adding an extra bridge in that area.

The initial closures occurred earlier this year without significant congestion owing to fewer travelers choosing alternative routes, as highlighted by Jonathan Wade, a senior project manager from National Highways. The remaining two planned weekend shutdowns are slated for later in the year, with completion expected by summer 2025 and resulting in an increased number of lanes at junction 10.