Jen MillsPublished May 7, 2024, 1:31pm|Updated May 7, 2024, 2:55pm
Drivers are braced for ‘carmageddon’ again this weekend, with the M25 ring road closed in both directions for a seven-mile stretch.
It’s the next stage of major £317 million works that saw tens of thousands of journeys disrupted in March.
At that time, the feared chaos did not actually materialise, probably because everyone was so scared of gridlock that they just stayed at home.
A diversion will be in place this weekend, but drivers have been warned that if they don’t take the approved route through the ULEZ zone, they risk a fine if their car is too polluting.
What M25 closures are in place this weekend?
This weekend’s closures will last from 9pm on Friday May 10 until 6am on Monday May 13 and mean the entire motorway from junctions 9 (A243 Leatherhead) and 10 (A3 Wisley) in Surrey will be closed.
People have been urged to ‘only travel where necessary’.
National Highways said: ‘We’re grateful to all drivers last time who avoided the closure and completed their journeys in other ways. We urge you to do the same again.’
What is the official diversion route?
There is a 19-mile diversion in place using the A3 and the A240 which will be signposted to drivers. It goes via Epsom and Chessington, dipping into the ULEZ zone.
The full route is listed here by National Highways, with a separate one for high vehicles.
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Can I be fined under ULEZ rules?
The diversion briefly goes within the ULEZ (ultralow emissions) zone, but no drivers will be fined if they stay on the approved route as enforcement will be suspended during this time.
However, National Highways said anyone ignoring signs to try and find a shorter route will still be liable for the £12.50 daily fee if they are in the zone and their vehicle does not meet minimum emissions standards.
If people fail to pay the £12.50 charge when required, it can result in a £180 fine, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
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There are concerns sat navs could direct some drivers on to minor roads, meaning they could be detected by other ULEZ cameras.
National Highways senior project manager Jonathan Wade said: ‘Although the cameras [on the approved route] 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.’
Why is the M25 closing?
It is so that a new bridge can be installed this weekend, the next stage of works started in 2022.
The extent of the major roadworks can be seen in a video including footage from the works in March, when a bridge was demolished creating 3,000 tons of concrete waste that took 80 trucks more than 24 hours to clear.
The project, which will continue until summer 2025, is intended to restore heathland and upgrade the junction with the A3 Wisley Interchange to ‘reduce congestion, improve safety and create more reliable journeys’.
It will include the UK’s first ‘heathland bridge’ to offer a natural corridor for wildlife over the motorway.
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What area does ULEZ cover?
It operates across all London boroughs after it was expanded in August last year, but the M25 is not in the zone.
It covers the entirety of the outer London counties including Kingston Upon Thames, Croydon, Enfield and Hillingdon, but not the surrounding home countries such as Kent, Surrey, Essex and Hertfordshire.
Which vehicles are affected by ULEZ charges?
It applies to cars, motorcycles, vans, specialist vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, and minibuses up to and including 5 tonnes.
Large vehicles such as buses, coaches, and lorries are subject to different requirements.
Petrol cars subject to the charge are generally only those registered as new before 2005, while for Diesel cars it is those registered before September 2015.
For vans, it is 2006 and 2016 for petrol and diesel respectively, and motorbikes affected are generally those registered before 2007.
You can check if your vehicle will be charged using the registration number here.
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