Section of M25 to close again tonight – as drivers warned not to get complacent
A seven-mile stretch of the M25 is set to shut in both directions from tonight for the second of five planned weekend closures.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the area of the closure – between junctions 9 and 10 in Surrey – from 9pm on Friday to 6am on Monday morning.
Drivers have also been urged to stick to the planned 19-mile diversion route, which will send vehicles through parts of Surrey and Greater London.
It is the second of five planned closures of the motorway, and comes after a section between junctions 10 and 11 was shut in March.
On that occasion, fears diversion routes would become overwhelmed proved unfounded, as traffic levels were more than two-thirds lower than normal after a widespread awareness campaign.
However, National Highways senior project manager Jonathan Wade says there is a “very real” risk that the lack of disruption in March means some motorists will not heed warnings to replan journeys this weekend.
“We’ve upped the amount of correspondence that we’ve been sending out to try and counter that, but it remains an issue,” he says.
A map showing the M25 closure and the diversion route between junctions 9 and 10 in May 2024
Those set to be those travelling to, from and between the UK’s two busiest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, are expected to be affected as National Highways has warned it expects long delays.
Other stretches of the M25 will also be disrupted this weekend due to ongoing work to retrofit additional emergency stopping areas on smart motorway sections.
Meanwhile, Mr Wade warned drivers will be subjected to London’s ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) rules if they move off official diversion routes during this weekend’s M25 closure.
National Highways said anyone ignoring diversion signs in an attempt to find shorter alternative routes will be liable for the £12.50 daily Ulez fee if their vehicle does not meet minimum emissions standards.
Failure to pay the charge when required can result in a £180 fine, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
Diversion routes will take cars on a 19-mile journey on A roads, crossing from Surrey into London’s ULEZ area.
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National Highways senior project manager Jonathan Wade told the PA news agency: “Although the (ULEZ) cameras will be active, no enforcement action will be taken.
“However, if you ignore the diversion signs and do your own thing, then if your vehicle’s not compliant you do run the risk of getting caught.
“You’ll be perfectly safe as long as you follow the diversion routes.”
The M25 was closed in March to allow for the demolition of a bridge. Pic: National Highways South-East/X
A view of traffic approaching junction 10 of the M25 prior to the closure in March
Pic: PA
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Everything you need to know ahead of the M25 closing
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RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson also warned drivers not to rely on their sat navs during the closure.
“Planning ahead is absolutely vital,” she said.
“Rather than relying on a sat nav, check the planned diversion routes ahead of time and be prepared for long delays.
“It’s also a really good idea to check your vehicle’s oil and coolant levels, tyre pressure and tread depth all before setting off to reduce the chances of a very unwelcome breakdown.”
National Highways say this weekend’s closure is to allow for the installation of a new bridge between junction 9 and junction 10.
The previous closure was to allow for the demolition of Clearmount bridleway bridge between junction 10 and junction 11 and the installation of a large gantry.
Three more weekend closures of the M25 are set to take place between August and the end of the year.
The project, due to be completed in summer 2025, will increase the number of lanes and make it easier to enter and exit the M25 at Junction 10, which is one of the UK’s busiest and most dangerous motorway junctions.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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