M25 set for second full weekend closure at junctions 9 and 10

The motorway will be shut between junctions 9  (A243 Leatherhead) and 10 (A3 Wisley) from 9pm on Friday, May 10 until 6am on Monday, May 13.

The closure is due to the installation of a new bridge and other parts of the £317m Junction 10 improvement scheme.

This comes after National Highways closed the M25 for a full weekend for the first time ever in March - but completed the improvement works eight hours ahead of schedule.

National Highways senior project manager, Jonathan, Wade said: "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.

"Drivers listened to our advice last time which reduced motorway traffic levels by over two thirds and meant delays were limited.

"Our advice again is please only travel if absolutely necessary and make sure you give yourself extra time if you do choose to use the M25."

A new bridge and four new beams will be installed at the next stage of the junction 10 project (Image: National Highways: South-East/PA Wire)

During this closure, four different diversion routes will be in place for different directions and types of vehicles.

Clockwise traffic from Gatwick towards Heathrow, that is not over height, should leave the M25 at junction 8 and will re-join at junction 10.

The diversion route follows the A217, A240, A24, and ends with a turn onto the A3.

Over-height vehicles (over 15’0 / 4.6m) will leave the motorway at junction 9, following the A243, A309, A307 and A245, before re-joining at junction 10.

For anticlockwise traffic from Heathrow towards Gatwick, the diversion route will exit the M25 at junction 10 and re-join at junction 8, journeying via the A3, A240, and A217.

Over-height vehicles will also exit at junction 10 but re-join at junction 9, with the diversion route running along the A3, A245, A307, A309, and A243.

The renovation work, which includes increased lane numbers, new junction layouts, and measures to reduce pollution, will be completed across a series of five full weekend M25 closures taking place this year.

The work is set to be completed by summer 2025, and is facilitated by National Highways and delivery partner Balfour Beatty Atkins.

A further three full weekend closures are expected between July and the end of the year, with National Highways planning to announce the dates for the next shutdown as soon as possible after the May works are completed.

Residents, commuters and businesses are advised to plan ahead and make alternative travel arrangements due to the closure.

The full weekend closure starting on May 10 also coincides with other ongoing improvements to the network, including on the M25 J23-27, M25 J5-7, M4 J10-12, M3 J2-4a and M20 J3-5.

The M25 is one of the busiest stretches of road in the UK, carrying between 4,000 and 6,000 vehicles per hour in each direction between 10am and 9pm on weekends.

READ MORE: Drivers urged to ignore satnavs to prevent gridlock during M25 closure

Up to 270,000 vehicles pass through this junction every weekday.

National Highways urges drivers to follow diversion routes rather than satnavs, to help reduce congestion.

For more information about the project and the latest updates, visit the National Highways website or keep up with their updates on X @HighwaysSEAST.