(AFP via Getty Images)
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Good progress has been made on the M25 in Surrey where engineers are demolishing a bridge, National Highways has said, as traffic queues built up again on Sunday morning in the lead-up to the closure.
A five-mile stretch between junctions 10 and 11 has been shut in both directions since 9pm on Friday and won’t reopen until 6am on Monday.
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 this weekend.
“We made good progress during the first night of the M25 J10 to J11 weekend closure,” National Highways said on Saturday.
“We will again work throughout the night to continue the demolition and gantry installations. There are minimal delays in the area at this time.”
It is the first planned daytime closure of the motorway – which encircles London – since it opened in 1986. National Highways said its modelling indicated vehicles would face delays of up to five hours without mitigation measures, such as urging drivers to stay away.
National Highways issues fresh appeal to motorists
National Highway has issued a fresh plea for motorists only to travel on the M25 and diversion route if necessary.
Andy Gregory17 March 2024 15:50
Queues remain light on approach to the diversion
Queues remain light on either side of the M25 closure, traffic cameras show.
A camera in the run-up to Junction 10 shows cars lined up tightly on the approach to the diversion, as they have been all morning.
While the two cameras in the approach to Junction 11 are out of action, there appears to be less than 2km of congestion in the lead-up to the diversion there.
Cars can be seen lining up on the approach to the diversion at Junction 10
(National Highways)
Andy Gregory17 March 2024 14:05
Simon Calder: Why not open stretch of closed M25 to cyclists and pedestrians?
The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder has suggested opening up part of the closed-off stretches of the M25 to cyclists and pedestrains during the four upcoming shutdowns.
He writes: “I do not suggest that visitors should play among the bulldozers as the workers energetically pursue the Monday morning reopening deadline.
“But since several miles of motorway are entirely unoccupied, I commend properly…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Independent Travel…