Highways authorities have urged motorists to avoid a southwestern section of the M25 from Friday night, when the second planned weekend closure of the London orbital motorway takes place. Tens of thousands of vehicles will be diverted onto local roads when the motorway is shut in both directions between junctions 9 and 10, from 9pm Friday until 6am Monday.
The closure is necessary to replace a gantry and construct a gyratory bridge. Most drivers will be forced off the motorway at junction 8 near Reigate, joining a 19-mile official diversion route. National Highways managers are concerned that drivers might ignore warnings, despite the first closure in March passing smoothly without the feared 'carmageddon'.
Jonathan Wade, senior project manager, said the work this weekend is more complex than the previous closure, involving lifting 72 concrete beams into position. 'The works will take longer,' he said, though he added there is contingency in the timings. During the first closure, traffic at junction 10 dropped from 146,000 to 44,000 vehicles per day, allowing free flow on diversion routes.
This weekend's closure affects a different stretch with longer diversions. While most vehicles will exit at junction 8, the tallest lorries will proceed eight miles further to a diversion from junction 9. Wade warned motorists not to follow larger vehicles or rely on satnavs, as this could lead to gridlock or Ulez charges in non-compliant cars, as diversions enter the Greater London clean air zone.
An exception will be made for guests booked at the Ramada hotel at Cobham Services, who will receive a special escort from junction 9. Wade joked they would 'certainly have a quiet night in'. National Highways insists drivers should follow signs or stay away to avoid disruption.
