A stretch of the M25 will be closed this weekend from Friday night to Monday morning for roadworks. The disruption could be much worse than usual as thousands of football fans will be traveling to watch the final of Euro 2024. Drivers are being advised to plan their route and be prepared for solid traffic around junctions 10 and 11 in Surrey.

Drivers face delays this weekend when part of the M25 will be closed for roadworks. It is the third closure this year. Major roads in the south-east will be very busy, since National Highways closes a portion of London’s orbital motorway in both directions between junctions 10 and 11 in Surrey. The closure starts at 9pm on Friday and runs to 6am on Monday, according to the AA.

The planned weekend work comes as thousands of football fans make their way to Berlin this week for Sunday’s Euro 2024 final, in which England plays Spain. If closed, it might mess up many trips into Dover by England supporters planning to drive to Germany. It may also impact those traveling into London to watch the football.

The M25 also carries passenger traffic to and from the UK’s two busiest airports: Heathrow and Gatwick. This motorway is also used by families visiting theme parks such as Legoland and Thorpe Park.

Chris Wood, patrol of the year at the AA, said: “Following England’s win against Holland, we expect many football fans will be altering their plans so it’s likely to be very busy in and around London. We urge drivers to plan their journey carefully, avoid the west side of the M25 if possible, and check ferry and tunnel operators’ websites for updates before setting off.”.

Usually, between junctions 9 and 11, 4,000 to 6,000 vehicles travel each hour in both directions from 10am until 9pm at weekends.

In the roadworks, £317 million is being spent upgrading junction 10. A new bridge will be constructed on the roundabout at the junction. The first planned daytime closure of the M25 since it opened in 1986 took place in March this year.

During the first closures in March and May, there were concerns over congestion; however, long queues didn’t clear service because many people kept out of the area.
National Highways senior project manager Jonathan Wade asked drivers not to use the satnav routes taking them off the official diversion route, which causes more traffic flow in residential areas. The final two weekend closures for the works will take place later this year. It is due for completion by summer 2025 and will create more lanes at junction 10.