DRIVERS have been given an urgent travel warning as the M25 weekend shutdown starts today, sending Brits on a 10-mile diversion.
Around 200,000 people use the route every day, with today’s closure potentially affecting England fans heading to the airport to make tomorrow’s Euro 2024 final.
Long queues are expected, with motorists asked to “only travel if absolutely necessary”.
The RAC has advised petrolheads going to Goodwood Festival or football fans trying to access Heathrow or Gatwick to “leave earlier than usual”.
Other events potentially impacted include the Wireless and British Summer Time festivals.
This is the third closure of the route this year amid a £317 million infrastructure project between junctions 10 and 11.
A five-mile stretch from Wisley to Chertsey in Surrey shut down from 9pm last night.
The restrictions will remain in place until 6am on Monday July 15.
Anyone hoping to use the route will be sent on a diversion via the A3, A245 and A320.
Tailbacks are expected along these routes as they are not designed to handle the quantity of traffic on the motorway.
Jonathan Wade, senior project manager for National Highways, said: “Our advice is please only travel if absolutely necessary and make sure you give yourself extra time if you do choose to use the M25.”
He added that drivers should “ignore their sat navs” as they might take them off the official diversion route, leaving them open to fines and ULEZ charges.
These penalties will be suspended alongside the official route.
That being said, Alice Simpson from the RAC said that there was “no reason why this weekend can’t go smoothly too”.
Ms Simpson urged drivers to “plan their journeys well in advance and follow the official diversion routes”.
And Chris Wood from the AA told Inews: “With potential for an upturn in the weather forecast and many football fans hoping to visit friends to cheer on their national team, it’s likely to be incredibly busy in and around London, particularly the M25 Junctions 10 to 11.
“We advise drivers to plan their journey accordingly, avoiding the west side of the M25 if possible, but if not to expect delays and stick to the detour routes.”