M25 closure in photos - traffic jams in Surrey roads and empty highway

While many motorists found themselves sat in queues, the diversion routes "generally coped" with the first full day closure of a stretch of the M25.

London's orbital motorway is shut between junctions 10 and 11 from 9pm on Friday March 15 to 6am on Monday March 18.

LondonWorld visited West Byfleet, a Surrey village at the centre of the diversion route, on Saturday morning and found it quiet, with residents saying the traffic is worse on a normal weekday.

Queues did form along the diversion route during the day, but Surrey Highways posted on X at just after 2.30pm: "#Surrey's roads are generally coping with the impact of the #M25 closure between J10 at #Wisley and J11 at #Chertsey. But we're seeing ongoing delays between #Byfleet and #Painshill. Thank you to the drivers who are avoiding the area, and please continue to check travel updates."

An hour later it posted: "We are seeing delays on approach to J10 & J11 on the #M25, as well as parts of the diversion. We thank you for your understanding and continue to urge you only to use the #M25 and diversions if your journey is necessary. This will help us to prevent further congestion."

The M25 between junctions 10 and 11 will be closed in both directions from 9pm on Friday March 15 to 6am Monday March 18.

The diversion route at junction 10 takes motorists northbound on the A3 to Painshill junction, on the A245 towards Woking, and then on the A320 to M25 junction 11.

From junction 11 drivers are directed on the A320 south towards Woking, along the A245 towards Byfleet and Painshill junction, and then southbound on the A3 to Junction 10.

The closure is the first of five planned this year for improvement works at the Wisley Interchange.