A 10-mile stretch of the M25 in Surrey will be closed this weekend, coinciding with a mini-heatwave expected to bring the warmest temperatures of the year so far. The closure, from 9pm on Friday until 6am on Monday, will shut the motorway between junctions 9 (A243 Leatherhead) and 10 (A3 Wisley) in both directions.
National Highways has urged drivers to avoid the area unless absolutely necessary, warning of lengthy detours. The stretch typically carries 4,000 to 6,000 vehicles per hour in each direction during peak weekend hours, and up to 270,000 vehicles pass through the junction on weekdays.
This is only the second full weekend closure in the M25's 38-year history. The first, in March, closed a five-mile section between junctions 10 and 11, causing severe congestion. A further three closures are planned between July and the end of the year.
Senior project manager Jonathan Wade confirmed the next closure is scheduled for August, during peak holiday season. The Met Office predicts temperatures will reach 24°C in London on Saturday and Sunday, with some areas hitting 26°C.
