M25 closures – motorway to shut for two weekend in March

National Highways will close the M25 from Junction 10 to 11 from Friday 7th March and re-open on Monday 10th March. The next one will be from Friday 21st March to Monday 24th March.

The second closure will cause significant traffic disruption with England’s World Cup Qualifier, set to take place on the Friday against Albania.

In this driving advice guide, we explain where it is, when there will be roadworks, and when it will be closed.

Here are the planned closures already announced by National Highways:

• Junction 10 – 9pm Friday, 7 March to 6am Monday, 10 March
• Junction 10 – 9pm Friday, 21 March to 6am Monday, 24 March
• A3 will be closed in both directions between Junction 10 and Cobham Roundabout/A245 between April 11-14

Here are the closures that have already taken place so far this year:

• Junction 10 closed between February 21-24

The closure of the M25 from Junction 10 (Wisley) to Junction 11 (A320 Chertsey) from 7th to 10th March is needed as part of a bridge demolition plan.

Work will be carried out on Junction 10 of the M25, and during these closures, old bridges will be demolished and removed.

The weekend closures are scheduled as follows for Junction 10 on the M25:

• 9pm Friday, 7 March to 6am Monday, 10 March
• 9pm Friday, 21 March to 6am Monday, 24 March

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “Without careful planning, drivers could face some really lengthy tailbacks during the eight days of M25 closures. 

“Friday 21 March coincides with England’s World Cup qualifying match against Albania at Wembley, meaning diversion routes are likely to be even more congested than usual.

“We’d advise setting off very early, especially if heading to the venue from Sussex and Kent. Public transport will also be extremely busy.

“Those that do decide to drive on either weekend should prepare to spend much longer on the roads and make sure they have plenty of fuel or charge for their trips.

“It’s also important to do some vehicle checks to avoid a breakdown: ensure tyres are in good condition and inflated to the correct pressure and that oil and coolant are at the right levels.”

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The next M25 closure will take place on Junction 10, and will start at 9pm on Friday 7th March 2025, and will be completed by 6am on Monday 10th March.

The M25 will be closed in both directions between Junction 10 for Wisley and Junction 11 for Woking from 9pm on Friday 7th March 2025 until 6am on Monday 10th March.

This is one of the busiest stretches of the M25 and is used by drivers to get to Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

National Highways advise travellers to plan ahead as the roads leading to the junctions will also be very busy.

The M25 is a major motorway that encircles Greater London and is often referred to as the London Orbital.

It runs for about 117 miles (188 km) and connects several key motorways, including the M1, M3, M4, M11, and others, making it a crucial part of the road network around London.

For drivers, it is also known as one of the busiest motorways in the UK.

The M25 acts as a bypass, helping traffic avoid entering central London while still connecting people to various routes leading into and out of the city.

It also serves as a key transport route for travellers, linking major airports (like Heathrow and Gatwick), crossings, and important ports (such as Dover).

The motorway has been given the nickname of ‘the world’s longest car park’ due to its high levels of traffic and roadworks.

According to the latest Government figures, there are over 2,300 miles of motorway in Great Britain – and closures are common.

These roads account for 1% of the total roads in Great Britain.

Motorways can be closed for a variety of reasons, primarily related to safety, maintenance, and upgrades.

Maintenance and upgrades

This is because they need regular maintenance and repair work, such as resurfacing, bridge repairs, signposting, smart motorway upgrades, camera upkeep, and general road improvements.

During these works, sections of the motorway – and the slip roads – may need to be closed to ensure the safety of both workers and drivers.

Large-scale projects like junction upgrades, the construction of new roads, or the installation of new infrastructure often require sections of the motorway to be closed – often for extended periods of time.

Sometimes, safety improvements, such as the installation of new barriers, junction redesigns, or enhancements to lighting and signage, require temporary closures to ensure these measures are completed safely and effectively.

Maintenance or repair work on bridges, tunnels, or other major structures can lead to closures, especially when these areas are being upgraded or replaced.

Accidents and weather conditions

Accidents, oil spills, or broken down vehicles can temporarily close parts of a motorway.

This is because emergency services need to secure the area and clear the incident, which can take time depending on the severity of the situation.

Also, extreme and dangerous weather conditions like heavy snow, floods, or high winds can lead to road closures to protect drivers.

Authorities may close sections of the motorway until conditions improve and it’s safe to drive again.

Motorways, or parts of them, might be closed to allow for better traffic management or to facilitate emergency response efforts if weather or accidents are increasing in severity.

Motorways in the UK are managed by different authorities in each nation.

In England, National Highways oversees the motorways and A roads across the country.

For north of the border, Transport Scotland is in charge of the road network.

In Wales, it is the responsibility of Traffic Wales.

Although motorways are the responsibility of National Highways, local roads are managed by the relevant local authority. London roads are managed by Transport for London, with input from the council.