Drivers who ignore diversion routes during M25 closure risk Ulez fines

In March the first of five planned closures of the M25 took place as part of a £317 million improvement project – Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Drivers risk Ulez fines if they take a shortcut and leave official diversion routes during this weekend’s M25 closure, a highways boss has warned.

Anyone ignoring diversion signs in an attempt to find shorter alternative routes will be liable for the £12.50 daily Ulez fee if their vehicle does not meet minimum emissions standards.

Failure to pay the charge when required can result in a £180 fine, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.

The M25 will be closed in both directions between Junctions 9 and 10 in Surrey from 9pm on Friday until 6am on Monday while concrete beams for a new bridge and a gantry are lifted into place.

Drivers are being advised to avoid the area if possible.

Diversion routes will take cars on a 19-mile journey on A roads, crossing from Surrey into London’s Ulez area.

Jonathan Wade, the National Highways senior project manager, said: “Although the [Ulez] cameras 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.

“You’ll be perfectly safe as long as you follow the diversion routes.”

National Highways says drivers who ignore diversion signs in an attempt to find shorter alternative routes will be liable for the £12.50 daily Ulez fee – Maureen McLean/Alamy

There are concerns sat navs could direct some drivers onto minor roads after leaving the M25, meaning they could be detected by other Ulez cameras as well as risk creating gridlock in residential areas.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, expanded Ulez to cover the whole of the capital on Aug 29 last year.

This weekend will see the second of five planned closures of the M25 – which encircles London – on sections connecting with Junction 10 as part of a £317 million improvement project.

Mr Wade said there is a “very real” risk that the lack of disruption then means some motorists will not heed warnings to replan journeys this weekend.

“We’ve upped the amount of correspondence that we’ve been sending out to try and counter that but it remains an issue,” he said.

Other stretches of the M25 will also be disrupted this weekend because of ongoing work to retrofit additional emergency stopping areas on smart motorway sections.

Mr Wade explained that the Junction 10 work can be halted at various points throughout the weekend if it runs behind schedule as “we wouldn’t jeopardise opening the M25 on Monday morning”.

An aerial view of Junction 10 of the M25 on March 17 – Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Vehicles queueing along a diversion route going into Weybridge during the first weekend closure of the M25 – JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images

Alice Simpson, an RAC spokesman, said drivers could face “up to six days of disrupted travel” as the M25 closure follows national rail strikes which are expected to spark increased traffic levels.

She added: “While the general advice is to avoid driving if possible, people will still need to make essential journeys for work, to access medical care and to reach Gatwick and Heathrow airports.

“Planning ahead is absolutely vital. Rather than relying on a sat nav, check the planned diversion routes ahead of time and be prepared for long delays.

“It’s also a really good idea to check your vehicle’s oil and coolant levels, tyre pressure and tread depth all before setting off to reduce the chances of a very unwelcome breakdown.”

Three more weekend closures of the M25 will take place between August and the end of the year.

The project, due to be completed in summer 2025, will increase the number of lanes and make it easier to enter and exit the M25 at Junction 10, which is one of the UK’s busiest and most dangerous motorway junctions.

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