I am writing to update you on the delivery of National Highways commitment to add more emergency areas to the M20 between junctions 3 and 5, M3 between junctions 2 and 4a, M4 between junctions 10 and 12, M25 between junctions 23 and 27 and the M25 between junctions 5 and 7.
These projects form part of our commitment to add more than 150 extra emergency areas across the network in line with our response to the Transport Select Committee. Further detail of this can be found on our website at National emergency area retrofit – National Highways.
Since April 2024, we have been working hard to build these new emergency areas. Work on all five motorways has now progressed to a point where we are able to begin removing the temporary traffic management from this section.
The traffic management removal will be undertaken overnight and the schedule for this is set out beneath.
Overnight the M20 will be closed:
- 12 March 2025 between junctions 2 and 5 eastbound to remove the lane one closure.
- Diversion: M20 junction 2 to 6 eastbound diversion
- 13 March 2025 between junctions 2 and 5 in both directions to remove the lane one closure.
- Diversion: M20 junction 2 to 6 eastbound diversion
- Diversion: M20 junction 6 to 2 westbound diversion
- 14 March 2025 between junctions 5 and 2 westbound to remove the lane one closure.
- Diversion: M20 junction 6 to 2 westbound diversion
Overnight the M3 will be closed:
- 24 March 2025 between junctions 2 and 4a southbound to remove the lane one closure.
- Diversion: M3 junction 2 to 4a southbound diversion
- 25 March 2025 between junctions 4a and 2 northbound to remove the lane one closure.
- Diversion: M3 junction 4a to 2 northbound diversion
- 26 March 2025 between junctions 4a and 2 northbound to remove the lane one closure.
- Diversion: M3 junction 4a to 2 northbound diversion
- 27 March 2025 between junctions 2 and 4a southbound to remove the lane one closure.
- Diversion: M3 junction 2 to 4a southbound diversion
Overnight the M4 will be closed:
- 28 March 2025 between junctions 10 and 12 southbound to remove the lane one closure.
- Diversion: M4 junction 10 to 12 southbound diversion
- 29 March 2025 between junctions 12 and 10 northbound to remove the lane one closure.
- Diversion: M4 junction 12 to 10 northbound diversion
- 30 March 2025 between junctions 10 and 12 southbound to remove the lane one closure.
- Diversion: M4 junction 10 to 12 southbound diversion
- 31 March 2025 between junctions 12 and 10 northbound to remove the lane one closure.
- Diversion: M4 junction 12 to 10 northbound diversion
Once traffic management has been removed from these sections of motorway, carriageways will return to four running lanes and the temporary speed limits will be lifted, and all the new emergency areas will be open and available to use in the event of the emergency.
Overnight the M25 will be closed:
- 19 March 2025 between junctions 5 and 6 clockwise to remove the lane one closure.
- Diversion: M25 junction 5 to 6 clockwise diversion
- 20 March 2025 between junctions 6 and 5 anticlockwise to remove the lane one closure.
- Diversion: M25 junction 6 to 5 anticlockwise diversion
Overnight the M25 will be closed:
- 27 March 2025 between junctions 27 and 25 anticlockwise to remove the lane one closure.
- 28 March 2025 between junctions 25 and 27 clockwise to remove the lane one closure.
- Diversion: M25 junction 25 to 27 clockwise diversion
- 30 March 2025 between junctions 25 and 23 anticlockwise to remove the lane one closure.
- 31 March 2025 between junctions 23 and 25 clockwise to remove the lane one closure.
- Diversion: M25 junction 23 to 25 clockwise diversion
Once the traffic management has been removed from the M25, we will be carrying out the testing of upgraded Stopped Vehicle Detection technology that has been installed at the same time as the emergency area work.
The testing phase requires an ongoing 50mph speed restriction to be in place for a short period of time, together with some further overnight closures. We will provide details when the dates are confirmed.
As the testing work will not be visible from the roadside, roads users may question why reduced speed restrictions will be maintained. Testing will mean that all new technology installed can be adjusted to suit its context and environment. This can only take place where there are no roadworks and when drivers are able to use all lanes of the motorway. There will however be signs for drivers at the roadside and overhead that speed limits are in place whilst technology is under test.
Dedicated monitoring of temporary CCTV and free recovery will remain in place. Once the system has completed the test phase, the speed will be increased to the national speed limit, subject to variable mandatory speed limits as required.
We recognise that this may be frustrating, but we would like to reassure you that we will remove the temporary speed limits as soon as testing is complete.
Find out more about driving on motorways, including what to do in an emergency.
Thank you
Kind regards
Kathryn Boyce
Customer and Communications Manager | Balfour Beatty | Highways | South East
M: +44 (0) 7590 353955 | E: kathryn.boyce@balfourbeatty.com
www.balfourbeatty.com | @balfourbeatty |
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