Drivers delayed as M25 closures cause delays

A five-mile stretch of the M25 between junctions 10 and 11 was closed at 21:00 GMT Friday and will remain shut until 06:00 on Monday. Congestion is increasing on the detour route, with drivers told not to try to be clever and seek out alternatives. It is the first time there has been a scheduled daytime closure of all lanes on the M25 since it opened in 1986. The closure is to enable the demolition of a bridge and the installation of a new gantry as part of a junction 10 improvement scheme.

National Highways warned vehicles would face delays of up to five hours without mitigation measures. Byfleet is on the detour route and residents headed to a bridge over the motorway to photograph the empty lanes. Councillor Amanda Boote described it as a #34;moment in history. She added: ‘The traffic is starting to build up now but it was lovely overnight’ Cobham Veterinary Centre is also on the diversion and has been affected by roadworks for more than a year.

Owner of caterers Billy Tong said he expected to see 50% of the firm#39;s weekend turnover to go #34;down the drain. Emergency services are also warning of a difficult weekend. South East Coast Ambulance Service said on X, formerly Twitter, that it was likely to be a challenging weekend for their teams. St Peter#39;s Hospital in Chertsey, Surrey, warned people to #34;only visit if necessary.

People affected may include people going to Gatwick and Heathrow Airports and the Channel ports, as well as concert-goers, sports fans and holidaymakers. The closure will be the first of five between now and September as part of a £317m upgrade. Get in touch by emailing Have Your Say@bbc. co.

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