Planning a car journey this weekend? The stretch of the M25 between junction 10 and 11 will be shut in both directions between 9pm on Friday 10 May and 6am on Monday 13 May, while necessary improvement work takes place – and it could affect your journey.

The works are part of a scheme to make junction 10 – the busiest section of the M25, which sees more than 300,000 motorists per day according to National Highways – safer and less congested. The company claims that it cannot safely demolish bridges and install a new gantry along the stretch without several planned closures during 2024. 

However, this weekend’s closure is expected to cause severe disruption and drivers are being warned not to travel unless it’s absolutely necessary. Those heading to the UK’s two busiest airports may be affected, as well as football fans with tickets to weekend fixtures.

When is the M25 closure taking place?

The M25 between junction 10 and 11 will be shut in both directions between 9pm on Friday 10 May and 6am on Monday 13 May. Further closures will take place between July and the end of 2024.

What does this mean for motorists?

Speaking in April, National Highways senior project manager Jonathan Wade advised those affected by the upcoming closure to “only travel if absolutely necessary and make sure you give yourself extra time if you do choose to use the M25.”

During a previous weekend closure, between junctions 10 and 11 in March 2024, most motorists heeded advice not to travel, with traffic levels down by two thirds as a result according to National Highways: it meant that the planned diversion route stayed relatively jam-free. This time round, however, there is concern that more complicated, longer diversions might mean greater disruption.

Those who need to drive should follow the official diversions devised by National Highways and outlined below – but be aware that they send motorists through Surrey towards London’s outermost suburbs, turning the seven-mile stretch into a 19-mile one.

“This is far from a repeat of the previous closure, as the alternative routes are longer and will be different for over-height vehicles and all other traffic,” said Wade.