Has the M25 reopened? Latest news
(Getty Images)
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Historic work on the M25 in Surrey has finished hours ahead of schedule, allowing the road to reopen ahead of Monday rush hour traffic.
A five-mile stretch between junctions 10 and 11 was shut in both directions on 9pm on Friday and wasn’t expected to reopen until 6am on Monday.
However at 10:30pm on Sunday, National Highways revealed that the road was now open in both directions following the successful demolition of the Clearmount bridge.
“We’d like to say a massive ‘thank you’ to everyone for your patience during this weekend’s closure of the M25 J10-11,” it wrote on X.
“The closure was to demolish a bridge and install a huge gantry. The road’s now open again, eight hours ahead of schedule. Thank you again for bearing with us.”
It comes after drivers were warned to stay at home as the unprecedented closure of the motorway was expected to cause a “carmageddon” of gridlock traffic over the weekend.
It was the first planned daytime closure of the motorway – which encircles London – since it opened in 1986.
RAC warns of a month of ‘double traffic trouble’
RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “With the M25 closures and the Easter getaway both falling in March, it could be a month of double traffic trouble for drivers trying to get around London or access Gatwick and Heathrow.
“Despite fair warning, the reality is most holidaymakers seeking to use either airport will have booked their trips months ago and will have to leave a lot more time to get there – not least because the most obvious diversion routes are likely to get extremely congested.
“If you do plan to drive between the 15th and 18th, we recommend starting your car to test its battery health well in advance of travelling and remembering FORCES to check the Fuel, Oil, Rubber, Coolant, Electrics and Screen wash before making any long journey.”
Athena Stavrou18 March 2024 04:30
In pictures: Historic M25 closure over the weekend
An information sign as traffic builds up in Cobham, Surrey, near to a closed section of the M25 (Yui Mok/PA)
(PA Wire)
A bridge is being demolished and a new gantry installed (Yui Mok/PA)
(PA Wire)
A gantry being installed overnight on a closed section of the M25 motorway in Surrey (National Highways South-East/PA)
(PA…
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