Warnings over final M25 closure as part of delayed £317m Junction 10 project
The final M25 weekend closure as part of a delayed £317 million project to improve one of the motorway's most dangerous junctions begins on Friday.
The motorway will be closed between Junctions 10 and 11 in Surrey from 9pm on Friday until 5.30am on Monday to allow National Highways to demolish and remove a bridge which is no longer needed.
Diversion routes on A roads will be in place.
Drivers are being urged to avoid the area unless their journey is 'absolutely necessary'.
Among the people affected by this weekend's closure will be many of those travelling to, from and between the UK's two busiest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, and some football fans driving home from the England v Albania football match at Wembley.
This will be the fifth and final M25 closure as part of the project, which started in summer 2022.
National Highways said there was a 'notable increase in traffic' during the previous closure a fortnight ago compared with the first three closures in 2024.
Senior project manager Jonathan Wade said: 'We are now on the home straight of this complex project and we are pleased to say this is the last time the M25 will be closed over a full weekend.
'Two weeks ago, when we last closed the motorway, we saw higher levels of traffic than in the previous three closures and it caused significant disruption and delays in local areas.
'We obviously want people to spend time enjoying themselves, we don't want anyone to be stuck in long traffic jams.
Reminder that @HighwaysSEAST is closing the #M25 in both directions between J10 at Wisley and J11 at Chertsey from 9pm this Friday 21 March to 6am Monday 24 March. Disruption is expected so please plan ahead and check for updates at https://t.co/3jEKC4CQoY pic.twitter.com/129ZxSBsKW
— Surrey County Council News (@SurreyNews) March 20, 2025
'If you're travelling around Surrey this weekend, I'd again urge you to only use the motorway and surrounding areas if your journey is absolutely necessary.
'Please allow extra time and use alternative routes where possible, and make sure you follow our official diversions, and not information from sat-navs.'
Shaun Jones, AA Patrol of the Year, said: 'We urge drivers, particularly those in HGVs, to follow the signed diversionary routes rather than using sat-navs or Google Maps.
'During the previous closure, an HGV driver had to be rescued by Surrey Police from Purford Lock as they had followed Google Maps and not the agreed diversion route.
'Drivers should allow plenty of extra time for their journey, and those attending the England match on Friday evening should be aware of extra traffic after the match has ended.'
The project is increasing the number of lanes at Junction 10 in an attempt to improve safety and cut congestion.
It was initially scheduled to be completed this summer, but will not finish until spring next year because of delays attributed to extreme weather.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Twix ad banned for encouraging unsafe driving
A TV ad for chocolate bar Twix has been banned for encouraging unsafe driving. The advert shows a man with flowing hair involved in a car chase and crash that results in his and an identical, caramel-coloured car sandwiched on top of each other, like a Twix. Five complaints issued against the advert said it encouraged dangerous driving and was irresponsible. Mars-Wrigley, who own Twix, argued that the ad had a "cinematic presentation" and was set in a "world that was absurd, fantastical and removed from reality", which Clearcast, the non-governmental organisation that approves adverts before broadcast, echoed. But the watchdog the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled the ad "must not appear again" in its current form because it "condoned unsafe driving". While the ASA acknowledged that the stunt performed highlighted the fantastical nature of the advert, it took issue with the first half of the video that showed driving "that appeared likely to breach the legal requirements of the Highway Code". It said there was an "emphasis on speed" including with "fast paced beat and music" in the car chase, noting the "visible skid marks" left on the road. Mars defended the advert, saying "the cars were shot driving at lawful speeds and any emulation would only reflect the legal and safe driving presented". The sweet giant, who also own M&Ms, Celebrations and Maltesers, added that Twix is known for its absurd and playful humour, which was reflected in the advert. The final scene shows a Twix bar falling through the sunroofs of the two cars, before they drive off - still attached - and with the tagline "two is more than one". For its part, Clearcast told the ASA that the style of the video made it clear it wasn't meant to be emulated nor did it suggest "safe driving was boring." In the ASA's ruling, it said it told Mars "not to condone or encourage irresponsible driving that was likely to breach the legal requirements of the Highway Code in their ads." Mars phases out controversial colour additive in Skittles Man who found smooth Mars bar gets £2 compensation Steven Bartlett nutrition adverts banned for being misleading
Harvard Business Review
10 hours ago
- Harvard Business Review
How Mastercard Helped Blenheim Palace Cut Costs with Reusable Cups
In an era when organizations are discovering that circular economy models can reduce costs and create new revenue streams, forward-thinking businesses are capitalizing on the shift from wasteful linear systems to more profitable circular alternatives. The transition from take-make-dispose models to circular systems represents one of the most profound operational shifts of the 21st century. Those who embrace it may discover competitive advantages. And when implemented thoughtfully, circular economy initiatives can create multiple layers of value that extend far beyond environmental benefits. Circular Innovation Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Oxfordshire, England, demonstrates how businesses can implement circular economy initiatives while improving operational efficiency, enhancing visitor experiences, and cutting costs. Two years ago, Blenheim Palace faced a common costly problem; it was spending over $100,000 annually on single-use cups that added to the many single-use cups reaching a landfill or an incinerator every day. Today it's achieved a notable 50% reduction in beverage packaging costs by implementing a deposit return scheme (DRS) with reusable cups, like other reusable cup deposit return schemes, such as in Denmark. 'The transition wasn't merely about sustainability metrics,' says David Green, head of innovation at Blenheim Palace. 'Our reusable cup scheme has significantly cut costs and fundamentally transformed our operations,' reimbursing customers rapidly and conveniently for returning their cups. 'The transition wasn't merely about sustainability metrics,' says David Green, head of innovation at Blenheim Palace. 'Our reusable cup scheme has significantly cut costs and fundamentally transformed our operations,' reimbursing customers rapidly and conveniently for returning their cups. The Mechanics of Circular Success Blenheim Palace's approach is elegant in its simplicity. Visitors pay $2.70 deposits to rent RFID-enabled reusable cups they will later return to reverse-vending machines. Circularity solutions provider re-universe assigns each cup a digital identity for data tracking and tracing throughout its usage. Blenheim Palace collects, washes, and reintroduces the cups into circulation—and visitors get secure, near-instantaneous refunds to their payment cards. 'With return machines streamlining the process,' Green says, 'we're achieving remarkable results that prove sustainable operations can be financially viable, too.' In a 12-month period, Blenheim Palace has cut 1,150 kg of carbon emissions and kept 320,000 single-use cups out of landfills. The Business Case for Circularity 'For circular initiatives to scale, the consumer experience must be seamless,' says Pratik Khowala, Mastercard's global head of transfer solutions. 'Our payments technology enables Blenheim Palace to offer near-instant deposit returns without requiring visitors to download apps or share additional banking information—a critical factor in achieving high participation rates, especially among international visitors.' Beyond environmental benefits, the financial case for this circular system is compelling. Blenheim Palace reports a 50% cost savings during the second year of implementation, including reduced waste management expenses and increased operational efficiencies. Each $2 reusable cup needs only four uses for its cost to break even, versus the $0.35 to $0.67 it spent for each single-use cup. The system also provides valuable data insights that allow continuous optimization—information that was absent from the previous model. 'The metrics we now track go well beyond basic environmental indicators,' Green says. 'We're measuring operational efficiency, visitor satisfaction, and return rates by location. This data allows us to continually refine the system for maximum impact and is leading us to invest more in the program. We're starting with hot cups, but we are planning to expand into cold cups and other packaging soon.' The Visitor Experience 'Visitor feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,' Green says. 'Guests specifically mention the reusable cup program in visitor surveys, noting how it aligns with their own values around environmental stewardship.' This alignment with consumer values represents an increasingly important competitive advantage for organizations across sectors. Retailers, manufacturers, hospitality providers, and service organizations across numerous industries and product categories can adapt these circular economy principles to their specific contexts. 'The technology behind the Blenheim experience can be applied to numerous circular economy initiatives beyond cups—from deposit-based redemption for reusable packaging to product buyback and peer-to-peer resale,' says Khowala. 6 Keys to Successful Implementation Blenheim Palace's initiative reveals six critical factors organizations should consider when they implement their own circular economy programs: 1. Consumer education: Clear communication about the process and its benefits drives participation. 2. Staff training and engagement: Frontline employees must understand the system to support it and encourage consumers to participate. 3. Frictionless user experience: Simplicity in participation—making deposits and returns as easy as possible—is nonnegotiable for high adoption. 4. Inclusivity: Systems must accommodate diverse user needs, including those of international visitors. 5. Optimized incentive structure: Deposit fees must balance motivation for returns without deterring participation. 6. Data-driven management: Real-time data visibility enables continuous improvement and optimization. 5 Strategic Implications for Leaders For executives considering circular economy initiatives, the Blenheim Palace case offers several clear takeaways: 1. Start with high-visibility waste streams: Focus initial circular economy efforts on visible, high-volume waste that resonates with stakeholders. 2. Design for user experience: Prioritize simplicity and convenience in circular systems to drive adoption. 3. Use technology appropriately: Digital tools should reduce friction, not add complexity. 4. Measure multidimensional value: Track environmental, financial, operational, and customer experience metrics. 5. Communicate authentically: Share transparent progress and insights with stakeholders. Organizations that approach circular economy initiatives as strategic opportunities rather than compliance requirements stand to gain significant advantages in operational efficiency, cost reduction, brand perception, and environmental impact. Circularity is not a new idea, but as organizations course-correct away from linear models, the circular economy is presenting new opportunities for businesses. As Blenheim Palace's experience demonstrates, organizations that embrace this transition thoughtfully can achieve positive results across the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. 'The most surprising aspect of our journey has been discovering that circular systems often outperform linear ones on pure business metrics,' Green says. 'Sustainability is no longer a trade-off against profitability—increasingly, it's becoming a driver of it.'
News24
14 hours ago
- News24
Uber to launch driverless taxis in London next year
For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page. Ride-hailing firm Uber will launch self-driving taxis in London next year when England trials new driverless services, the firm and the UK government said on Tuesday. Under the Uber pilot scheme, services will initially have a human in the driver's seat who can take control of the vehicle in an emergency, but the trials will eventually transition to being fully driverless. The government announcement will see companies including Uber allowed to trial commercial driverless services without a human presence for the first time in the UK. They will include taxis and "bus-like" services. Uber CEO Andrew Macdonald described London's roads as "one of the world's busiest and most complex urban environments". "Our vision is to make autonomy a safe and reliable option for riders everywhere, and this trial in London brings that future closer to reality," he said. Members of the public will be able to book the transport via an app from spring 2026, ahead of a potential wider rollout when new legislation -- the Automated Vehicles Act -- becomes law from the second half of 2027, the Department for Transport added. The technology could create 38 000 jobs, add £42 billion ($57 billion) to the UK economy by 2025, and make roads safer, it said. "The future of transport is arriving. Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world-leaders in new technology," Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said. "We can't afford to take a back seat on AI…. That's why we're bringing timelines forward today," added Technology Secretary Peter Kyle. The wider rollout will also allow the sale and use of self-driving, private cars. Driverless vehicle trials have been under way in the UK since January 2015, with British companies Wayve and Oxa "spearheading significant breakthroughs in the technology", the ministry said. "These early pilots will help build public trust and unlock new jobs, services, and markets," said Wayve CEO Alex Kendall. According to the government, the forthcoming legislation will require self-driving vehicles to "achieve a level of safety at least as high as competent and careful human drivers". "By having faster reaction times than humans, and by being trained on large numbers of driving scenarios, including learning from real-world incidents, self-driving vehicles can help reduce deaths and injuries," it said. Driverless taxis with limited capacity are already on the roads in the United States and China, most notably in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where a fleet of over 500 can be hailed by app in designated areas.
