Holidaymakers, day-trippers and sports fans will benefit from smoother and safer journeys this summer following a major upgrade to the M25 and A3.
National Highways has delivered improvements to both roads as part of a flagship project to reduce congestion, improve safety, and boost economic growth.
Engineers have widened the roundabout at Junction 10 in Surrey to increase capacity for traffic coming onto and off the M25 and introduced a fourth lane on the A3 between J10 and the adjacent junctions at Painshill and Ockham Park.
The scheme has also delivered the UK’s first heathland green bridge, which connects Ockham and Wisley Commons on either side of the A3, providing a safe and natural corridor for wildlife.
Junction 10 sits between Heathrow and Gatwick, and this stretch of the M25 is a crucial strategic route for holidaymakers and businesses alike – with thousands of drivers travelling to and from the airports every day.
With schools now breaking up for the holidays, this will be the first summer that families can take advantage of the full range of improvements since both sets of carriageways were restored to 70mph late last year.
Sports fans are benefitting too, with the A3 regularly serving thousands of spectators at Sandown Park and Epsom Downs racecourses as well as the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth.
Nicola Bell, National Highways Chief Delivery Officer, said: “The M25 is the heartbeat of the UK economy and offers a gateway to connect millions to airports, domestic holiday destinations and world-class entertainment this summer.
“Our Junction 10 upgrade has been a unique feat of engineering and involved us successfully managing a series of unprecedented full weekend closures of the M25.
“These improvements have helped support thousands of new homes and local jobs and allow us to provide safer, smoother journeys for all on these crucial routes.”
Junction 10 and the wider M25 is a crucial artery that helps connect London and the South East to the rest of the UK and Europe, enabling the vital flow of goods and services.
National Highways has worked closely throughout the project with key partners from the worlds of business, logistics and freight to minimise disruption and keep the country moving.
On Friday, a host of industry leaders were invited to see the improvements first-hand, celebrate the success of the scheme and reiterate the importance of the M25 to the Government’s growth agenda.
Sophie Chapman, Surface Access Director at Heathrow Airport, said: “As the world’s most connected hub and the UK’s largest port by value, Heathrow relies on strong, resilient transport links to connect people and UK businesses with markets across Britain and around the world.
“The improvements to Junction 10 are a significant upgrade for one of the airport’s key transport links and one of the UK’s most important road corridors.
“Having worked closely with National Highways on transport and infrastructure issues over many years, we welcome the delivery of these improvements ahead of the busy summer travel period.
“Projects of this scale inevitably require careful planning, but the result is a more reliable network that supports economic growth and keeps people and freight moving.”
Richard Higgins, Head of Surface Access Strategy at London Gatwick said: “We are pleased to see the successful delivery of this investment in strategic, nationally significant infrastructure.
“The M25 is important to the whole of the South East, including many passengers and staff that travel to and from the airport.
“These improvements provide better journey time reliability and greater certainty for road users, whether that’s passengers catching their flights for business trips and holidays abroad or colleagues working at London Gatwick keeping the airport running smoothly 24/7.”
David Boot, Director of External Affairs for the Road Haulage Association, said: “The completion of the M25 Junction 10 improvement scheme is positive news for our sector and the millions of businesses and households we serve.
“We welcome road projects that will provide smoother, more efficient journeys across the supply chain. This is a nationally strategic stretch of road which acts as a key route for hauliers and coach operators from Kent ports to much of the rest of the country.
“With over 80% of Britain’s goods moved by road, a safe, resilient and fit for purpose network is essential to our industry and to wider economic growth. We look forward to seeing further investment of this kind.”
Geraint Evans, CEO of UK Major Ports Group, said: “Our ports allow British business to thrive and bring in goods we all depend on in our daily lives – but this only works if the whole country is properly connected.
“The M25 is essential to connecting some of the UK’s busiest ports to the rest of the UK, ensuring that supply chains keep moving. We’re therefore delighted to see the improvements at Junction 10 delivered, providing quicker, safer, and more reliable journeys for years to come.”
Ben Garratt, Acting Policy Director at Logistics UK said: “The smooth completion of the M25 Junction 10 works will enable freight to continue to move effectively across this busy section of the orbital motorway, connecting businesses across the south and west with the rest of the country, and demonstrates what can be achieved with close cooperation between industry and government agencies.”
