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“We exited the pine trees at Byfleet station and were greeted by a tranquil and serene countryside under the warm morning sun.”
While at West Byfleet station in Surrey, I remembered a quote from H G Wells’s War of the Worlds as I stepped off the first morning train from London on Saturday.
In the tranquil surroundings of the home counties, everything was peaceful until a Bulgarian truck disrupted the serenity. The truck was forced to change its route due to the unexpected closure of a section of the M25 motorway near London. As a result, the A245 between Byfleet and West Byfleet became a diversionary route and an unintended tourist spot.
In the early 1980s, Byfleet and West Byfleet experienced a falling out. The cause of their rift was an 80-yard-wide cutting that was expanded to fit eight lanes of traffic, instead of the original six. On a typical weekend, around 100 vehicles, including cars, trucks, and buses, pass through this deep barrier every minute.
10 miles north of Heathrow, the busiest airport in Europe, is the main holiday airport in the UK, Gatwick, located 20 miles southeast. If a destination cannot be reached from an M25 motorway or A-road junction, it is not likely to be worth visiting in Britain.
Since its completion in 1986 by Margaret Thatcher, the M25 motorway has become a vital part of Europe’s infrastructure. Currently, a daytime closure is in effect for the first time ever. This weekend, a section of the motorway southwest of London will remain closed until 6am on Monday.
Junction 10, the intersection between the M25 and the A3 trunk road that connects London, Guildford, and Portsmouth, needs improvements. However, in order to do so, the entire five-mile stretch leading up to Junction 11 must be closed. This includes the popular Chessington World of Adventures.
The National Highways message advises people to stay at home. In preparation for the closures, Jonathan Wade, the senior project manager in charge of the weekend adventure, stated on The Independent’s daily travel podcast: “If possible, please avoid traveling altogether. Instead, find activities to do at home, such as redecorating the bathroom or playing in the garden. If you must go out, consider taking the train, walking, or using a bicycle.”
I am unable to assess the amount of bathroom renovations taking place in the home counties, but it appears that many individuals have followed the recommendation to avoid travelling on the roads.
For several hours, I was on the A245 bridge above the temporarily quiet M25. The main indication that things were not as usual was the regular presence of trucks from eastern Europe. These drivers were likely unaware of the closure until they reached the bridge and were rerouted off the motorway. However, the frequent appearance of Balkan trucks, even with the addition of a significant number of National Express coaches, does not amount to an invasion similar to War of the Worlds.
Although many locals were afraid, the predicted traffic standstill has not occurred (at least not yet). On Saturday afternoon, Jackie M, one of my sources, stated: “It seems like people have listened to the warnings. There’s just the usual delay from Byfleet to Painshill due to the traffic lights at Seven Hills Road.”
The lack of traffic congestion is a pleasant surprise, along with the addition of tourists. As I stood on the bridge, I was accompanied by a constant stream of residents who wanted to capture the moment and appreciate the wonder of an empty M25. These were the words of Simon Vassallo, a long-time resident of the area. Terry Craig from West Byfleet, another local, also relished the sight. “It’s truly remarkable to see the motorway completely closed off like this,” he shared with me.
This year, there will be additional chances to go sightseeing as four more closures of the same area are scheduled. Though National Highways may not appreciate my comment, I hope that the closure is used to its full potential for tourism.
I do not recommend that visitors engage in playing near the bulldozers while the workers work hard to meet the Monday morning deadline for reopening. However, since several miles of the highway are currently unoccupied, I suggest organizing walks and bike rides along the vacant lanes. Similar to Abu Dhabi’s Formula One circuit, the M25 could also be opened for pedestrians, runners, and cyclists to enjoy as a temporary playground. In the words of H G Wells, let us appreciate the “beautiful serenity” that surrounds us.
Since 1994, Simon Calder, also referred to as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been sharing his travel insights in The Independent. Every week, he delves into a significant travel topic and discusses its implications for readers.
Source: independent.co.uk
