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Traffic congestion has been experienced by drivers in Surrey due to the unprecedented closure of a section of the M25, the highway that surrounds London and was finished in 1986.
According to National Highways, there were long lines of cars stretching for two miles on Britain’s most crowded motorway due to a five-mile section closure between Junctions 10 and 11. This occurred on Saturday shortly before lunchtime.
According to Inrix’s monitoring, the expected diversion route of 11.5 miles through Byfleet, West Byfleet, Woking, and Ottershaw was experiencing approximately six miles of traffic delays. This was occurring along more than half of the designated route.
As traffic increases in Cobham, Surrey due to a closed section of the M25, an information sign is present.
National Highways South East projected that the typical trip duration on the alternate path was 25 minutes. They reassured drivers that there would be minimal traffic, despite strongly advising them to refrain from driving if possible.
The highway section became a popular spot for tourists as residents paused to be amazed by the lack of cars on the road after years of constant traffic.
“It’s absolutely astonishing,” Simon Vassallo, who has lived in the area for 35 years, told The Independent. He was out early “to stock up on provisions” ahead of the traffic building up. “When we came across the bridge this morning, we just had to stop, take a few pictures and take in the marvel that is an empty M25.”
A resident of the area, Terry Craig from West Byfleet, remarked, “It’s quite remarkable to witness the motorway completely closed off with all these lanes. It’s truly unbelievable. Apart from Covid, there’s nothing quite similar to this that we’ve seen before.”
The M25 usually has a flow of 4,000 to 6,000 automobiles per hour in both directions on weekends from 10am to 9pm, specifically between Junctions 9 and 11. This includes a significant number of airport passengers traveling to, from, and between the two busiest airports in the UK, Heathrow and Gatwick.
Construction is currently underway on the stretch of the M25 highway connecting Junctions 10 and 11.
However, according to reports, National Highways maintained that the closure over the weekend, lasting Friday from 9pm to Monday at 6am, was essential in order to demolish a bridge and install a new gantry. This section of road has had a history of frequent accidents.
During the planning phase, simulations indicated that drivers could experience delays of up to five hours if steps were not taken to alleviate congestion, such as urging drivers to avoid the area and establishing alternate routes.
According to National Highways, their efforts have resulted in only a 60-minute increase in travel time, based on a 50% decrease in traffic.
Jonathan Wade, the leader of the project, stated that due to the unique nature of the situation, they have no previous examples to compare it to. He also mentioned that there has never been a shutdown like this before, making it difficult to predict how many individuals will respond to the notifications provided.
Currently, it is challenging to gauge the effectiveness of our traffic management methods. It is advised to refrain from traveling if possible.
Cars are lining up to exit the road at Junction 10 on the London ring road highway.
Daryl Jordan from Woking Borough Council cautioned that residents would experience significant impacts, stating that it would be chaotic. Automotive specialists had cautioned that the government’s predicted levels of traffic buildup may be too positive.
The South East Coast Ambulance Service has called on drivers in Surrey to make way for ambulances in preparation for a demanding weekend for their crews.
Owners of businesses in the diversion route area reported reducing their services in anticipation of potential traffic issues.
Mark Pollak, the proprietor of Billy Tong, a business that provides meals for gatherings and also sells dried meat at local markets, expressed disappointment in the fact that he predicted a 50% decrease in profits for the upcoming weekend. He explained that he was unable to fulfill a catering request for an event in Guildford and had to cancel his stall at the Surbiton Farmers’ Market due to concerns about traffic congestion.
There will be four additional daytime closures of the M25 occurring before September.
The construction is set to finish in summer 2025, and it aims to expand the lanes at junction 10, known as one of the busiest motorway junctions in the UK.
OLA DIPELINO
Additional information was reported by Paola Dipelino.
The Independent is a well-respected news source that is known for providing unbiased, breaking news and analysis.
The Independent, a highly regarded source of news, is recognized for delivering impartial and timely reports and evaluations.
