Ground Transport Group - M25 Motorway Closures Start This Weekend

Work to ease congestion and improve safety at the busiest junction of the M25 continues, with a series of closures over the coming weeks as the project moves towards completion.

The scheme to upgrade Junction 10 in Surrey is already improving driver journeys, with jet lanes now carrying traffic through the junction while avoiding traffic signals.

National Highways has also opened the new Wisley Lane and installed several structures which will offer safe passage for pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders over the motorway.

This includes the UK’s first heathland bridge, the beams for which were installed at the junction last month.

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To allow work on the next phases of the project to be completed safely, the motorway will shut for two full weekends next month, as it did on three occasions last year.

The weekend closures, which will see old bridges demolished and removed, are due to take place from:

9pm Friday, 7 March – 6am on Monday, 10 March
9pm Friday, 21 March – 6am on Monday, 24 March

Other significant works in the coming weeks and months will see the slip roads from Junction 10 closed between February 21-24. Meanwhile, the A3 will be closed in both directions between Junction 10 and Cobham Roundabout/A245 between April 11-14.

Concertgoers, sports fans and holidaymakers travelling to London and surrounding areas are among those urged to plan their journeys well in advance and ensure they allow extra time or make alternative travel arrangements.

Jonathan Wade, National Highways Senior Project Manager, said: “This is the final block of closures on the M25 as this scheme nears completion.

“We were grateful to drivers who listened to our advice during the three weekend closures last year and I’d again urge them to only use the motorway if their journey is absolutely necessary.

“Unfortunately, it’s simply not possible to carry out this scale of infrastructure improvement, which will benefit millions of people in the long term, without there being some degree of short-term disruption.

“We have spent months planning these closures, but they will still cause significant congestion and delays, so we are asking road users to allow extra time and use alternative routes where possible. Please follow our official diversion routes and not information from satnavs.”

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While the fundamental elements of the scheme which affect drivers day-to-day are still expected to be finished this summer, the final completion date for the project has now been moved back to spring 2026.

This does not mean continued heavy congestion and, in practical terms, most road users will not be affected by the project’s extended completion date.

Mr Wade added: “Periods of extreme weather in 2024 delayed some elements of our work but since then we’ve worked hard to recoup that time and still complete the on-road elements on schedule.

“We are already seeing some of the benefits of this project, which will help reduce congestion, create a smoother flow of traffic and provide safer journeys for thousands every day.”

The Junction 10 improvement scheme will see an increase in the number of lanes to make journeys safer and improve traffic flow.

It will also make it easier and safer to enter and exit the M25, provide safer entry roads for Wisley, Pyrford, Old Byfleet and the RHS Garden Wisley, and will reduce the pollution caused by traffic jams.