Drivers are being warned to avoid the Surrey section of the M25 this coming weekend as work continues on a £317m improvement project.

The UK’s busiest motorway will be shut from J10-11 from 9pm Friday 12 July

The UK’s busiest motorway will be shut between junctions 10 and 11 from 9pm Friday 12 July through to 6am Monday 15 July 2024, fuelling concerns of summer mayhem on the roads.

As with the two previous closures, drivers are strongly advised to follow National Highways’ official detour instead of satellite navigation system diversions, both to reduce congestion and ensure drivers don’t land themselves with ULEZ fines.

The clockwise diversion from J10 to J11 follows the northbound A3 to the A245 Painshill Junction, A245 towards Woking, and Byfleet, then the A320 exit from the Six Crossroads Roundabout and continuing to J11.

Anti-clockwise, drivers exit the M25 at J11 and take the A320 south towards Woking, then at the Six Crossroads Roundabout take the A245 towards Byfleet, continue on the A245 to the A3 Painshill junction, then take the 3rd exit to the southbound A3 to J10.

National Highways have also advised drivers that heading around the M25 via the north stretch may actually be quicker.

The previous M25 closures have gone well without major disruption thanks to most drivers sticking to the official routes.

Jonathan Wade, National Highways senior project manager, said: “The previous two closures have gone well with significant progress being made during both.

“We would urge all drivers to follow the official diversion route as this is the best chance of reaching your destination in good time. Please ignore your sat-navs and follow our diversion route instead.”

The closure will enable the construction and installation of a bridge on the western gyratory of the roundabout at Junction 10.

The new bridge, consisting of 68 beams, each weighing 16 tonnes, and another four beams weighing 40 tonnes, will be installed as part of ongoing work to make journeys safer and reduce pollution. The previous closure in May saw identical work being carried out on the eastern gyratory.

A further two M25 closures are due to take place later this year. National Highways and delivery partner Balfour Beatty Atkins are working with key stakeholders in the lead up to this closure, including emergency services, Surrey County Council, local businesses and Gatwick and Heathrow Airports.

Full details of the work and official diversion are here.