Roadworks removed as M25 project nears completion

A host of roadworks in place as part of a long-running project to improve the busiest section of the M25 have been removed in the run-up to Christmas.

Work on junction 10 of the M25 and A3 Wisley interchange, ongoing since spring 2022, is due to finish next spring after a nine-month delay due to weather conditions.

National Highways senior project manager, Jonathan Wade, said the team was "delighted" to remove the 50mph speed limit from the A3, having done the same on the M25 earlier this year.

"These changes will be a big boost to people ahead of the festive getaway, but we continue to advise anyone travelling during this busy period to plan their journeys carefully," he said.

Lanes in both directions near the Wisley Interchange have also been restored to their full width, National Highways said.

Edmund King, AA president, said: "We are pleased that National Highways are doing what they can in the meantime to alleviate congestion... these moves may bring a bit of Christmas cheer to those normally stuck in this congestion on a daily basis."

The AA has predicted that 24.4m cars will be on the roads, starting from Friday all the way up to Christmas, Mr King said.

By the time of completion, about three-and-a-half years will have passed since work on this £317m scheme began.

With just months to go, the project has hit a number of key milestones.

A total of eight bridges have been built as part of this scheme, according to National Highways.

Among the most significant is Cockcrow Bridge, the UK's first heathland bridge, which acts as a natural corridor for wildlife to cross the busy road.

The bridge, which is 30m (0.03km) long, connects Ockham to Wisley Commons and was installed in January.

In March last year, the old Clearmount Bridge was demolished.

National Highways said this produced 3,000 tonnes of material, which took 80 trucks more than 24 hours to clear away.

The new 450-tonne Clearmount Bridge was installed a few months later in November, as was the Wisley Lane Bridge.

This bridge provides access to Wisley Lane and the RHS Garden Wisley.

At the same time, National Highways permanently closed the existing access to and from the A3 at the old Wisley Lane.

The 58m-long Redhill Footbridge, the last of the eight bridges to be built, was installed in July.

There are still a few areas of the project to be completed, including the removal of temporary traffic lights at the Seven Hills junction and Painshill roundabout.

An alternative route for the San Domenico/Starbuck site has just been completed and will open by March, while the Cockrow heathland green bridge has been completed and will open in February once a horse path and cattle grid have been installed.

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