DRIVERS have been warned “only travel if absolutely necessarily” amid another M25 closure TONIGHT – and it lasts the entire weekend.
Motorists will face bumper-to-bumper traffic on one of the UK’s busiest motorways amid a 10mile diversion, as around 300,000 vehicles are expected to pass through.
Fuming Goodwood Festival of Speed fans may be forced to start their journey even earlier or risk sitting in horrendous queues on the road.
Those heading to Heathrow and Gatwick Airport have also been advised by the RAC to “leave earlier than usual”.
Meanwhile, Wireless and British Summer Time festivalgoers are likely to be affected too.
And, of course anyone travelling along the route as part of Euro 2024 final celebrations will also be impacted.
National Highways urged people to “only travel if absolutely necessary” and predict “long delays”.
Senior Project Manager, Jonathan Wade 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.”
Mr Wade also warned drivers to “ignore your satnavs”, amid concerns they might be taken to minor roads off the motorway and gridlock small towns or villages.
However, RAC breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson said there was “no reason why this weekend can’t go smoothly too”, but only if travellers “plan their journeys well in advance and follow the official diversion routes.”
Meanwhile, Chris Wood, AA Patrol of the Year, 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.”
He again urged holidaymakers heading to the airport to leave earlier and check their journey before leaving.
This disruption marks the third M25 closure this year, with two more planned, as part of an improvement project on junction 10
A five-mile stretch between junction 10 at Wisley and Junction 11 at Chertsey will be closed in both directions.
It comes into place tonight at 9pm and will remain shut until 6am on Monday July 15.
Drivers will be diverted along the A3, A245 and A320 with queues and backlog to be expected.
Those travelling clockwise between Junctions 10 and 11 will be directed to turn off the M25 and head northbound on the A3 towards Painshill Junction.
They will then be signposted to turn off at the Cobham roundabout and head left onto the A245 towards Woking.
Official diversion route directions then go right on the A320 to rejoin the M25 at Junction 11.
This will be the same for motorists travelling anti-clockwise, but in reverse.
It comes as £317 million plans to build a new gyratory bridge south of the Junction 10 roundabout by Summer 2025 steam ahead.
The structure will add extra lanes and boost safety while reducing congestion.