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National Highways reported that significant advances have been achieved on the demolition of a bridge on the M25 in Surrey. However, traffic disruptions were observed on Sunday morning as the closure draws near.
The segment between junctions 10 and 11, spanning 5 miles, has been closed in both directions since 9pm on Friday and will remain closed until 6am on Monday.
Following warnings for drivers to remain at home, the highway closure, which is unprecedented, was anticipated to result in chaotic traffic and gridlock this weekend.
According to National Highways, the weekend closure of M25 J10 to J11 was a productive first night with good progress made.
“We will once again be working through the night to continue the demolition and installation of gantries. There are currently minimal delays in the surrounding area.”
This is the initial scheduled shutdown of the highway that surrounds London, marking the first time since its establishment in 1986. National Highways has forecasted potential delays of up to five hours for vehicles if no precautionary steps are taken, such as advising drivers to avoid the area.
“On average, 100 vehicles pass through Byfleet on M25 every minute.”
In the early 1980s, the towns of Byfleet and West Byfleet experienced a falling out. The cause of their estrangement was an 80-yard-wide path that now holds six lanes of traffic, eventually expanding to eight lanes. On a typical weekend, an average of 100 vehicles, including cars, trucks, and buses, pass through this deep divide every minute.
Heathrow, the busiest airport in Europe, is located 10 miles north while Gatwick, the main holiday airport in the UK, is 20 miles southeast. If you cannot reach your destination in Britain from a junction on the M25 motorway or A-road, it may not be worth visiting.
Ever since its completion in 1986 by Margaret Thatcher, the M25 has become a crucial part of Europe’s infrastructure. For the first time, the motorway will be closed during the day. A section of the motorway located southwest of London will be closed for the entire weekend and will reopen at 6am on Monday.
The goal is to enhance Junction 10, located at the intersection of the M25 and the A3 highway, which connects London to Guildford and Portsmouth (and also includes Chessington World of Adventures). The only solution is to shut down the entire five-mile section up to Junction 11.
Simon Calder is a correspondent who reports on travel news and information.
17 March 2024 12:00
There were few delays in traffic leading up to the detour this morning.
The traffic cameras indicate minimal traffic on the roads leading up to Junctions 10 and 11, where the diversion is currently in effect.
About an hour ago, The Evening Standard stated that Inrix data indicated approximately 2km of traffic was forming north of the closed Junction 11 near Chertsey.
The M25 is temporarily closed between Junctions 10 and 11.
The M25 has transformed into a popular tourist destination.
Our correspondent who covers travel, Simon Calder, shares his report:
Upon leaving the pine trees, we arrived at Byfleet station and were greeted by a tranquil and serene countryside bathed in the warm light of the morning.
As I disembarked the first train on Saturday morning from London at West Byfleet station in Surrey, a line from H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds came to mind.
In this peaceful area of the home counties, everything was quiet and serene until a Bulgarian truck suddenly passed by. The truck had been redirected due to the unexpected closure of a portion of the M25 motorway near London. The A245 road between Byfleet and West Byfleet has now become a detour route and, as I soon found out, a temporary source of interest for tourists.
The local council member stated that the traffic on the alternative route was not as severe as anticipated.
According to Amanda Boote from Woking Borough Council, traffic on the detour route passing through Byfleet, West Byfleet, Woking, and Ottershaw was not as severe as initially anticipated.
According to reports from National Highways South-East, traffic was backed up for a distance of 2 miles on Saturday morning. The designated alternate route, spanning 11.5 miles, was estimated to have an average travel time of 25 minutes.
On Saturday, NHSE reported successful advancements made during the initial night of work.
as fog in some parts of the UK
Motorists are advised to anticipate possible delays due to foggy conditions in certain areas of the United Kingdom.
Motorists are advised to anticipate delays for their travels throughout the day.
National Highways asserts that there has been positive development on the M25.
Significant headway has been achieved on the M25 in Surrey, as engineers work to demolish a bridge during the motorway’s inaugural scheduled daytime shutdown.
A five-mile section between junctions 10 and 11 has been closed in both directions since 9pm on Friday and will remain closed until 6am on Monday.
On Saturday at 9:05pm, NHS England (NHSE) reported that significant advancements were achieved on the first night of the weekend closure from M25 J10 to J11.
“We will once again be working overnight to complete the demolition and install gantries. There are currently only minor delays in the surrounding area.”
Images show major travel disruption due to closure of section of M25 until Monday.
A traffic warning sign is seen in Cobham, Surrey, near a closed part of the M25 as congestion increases (Yui Mok/PA). View: Drone video of M25 captures demolition of bridge while motorway stays shut. The M25 at junction 10 in Surrey was observed for traffic patterns during a site visit in preparation for a scheduled closure of both sides of the roadway.
View footage of demolition of bridge on closed M25 motorway captured by drone.
Observing: Drone video shows the demolition of a bridge on the M25 highway while it was closed, taken from above.
The shuttered M25 has become a popular destination for tourists.
Throngs of individuals have gathered at an unexpected location to capture self-portraits while gazing upon the unsettlingly still M25.
The road will be closed for a five-mile section until Monday due to the demolition and installation of a new gantry on a bridge.
(Yui Mok/PA Wire) cannot reword
“The photo credit belongs to Yui Mok, who is associated with the PA Wire.”
of bus route
Residents concerned about potential discontinuation of bus route.
According to a councilor, the initial scheduled daytime shutdown of the M25 may result in chaotic consequences for nearby residents and businesses on the alternate path.
Daryl Jordan from Woking Borough Council reported to the PA news agency that Byfleet Road, located near junction 10, was heavily congested on Friday afternoon.
He stated that the residents will be greatly impacted, stating that the situation is causing division among people. For instance, full-time workers returning home will have difficulty accessing their own village and having to think about restocking their fridge.
“It will be exhausting. Even a simple task like buying milk or picking up dry cleaning will be a challenge.”
Source: independent.co.uk
