Hundreds of drivers could be forced to make a U-turn every day when on the road ahead of major changes to the M25 motorway.
Motorists will see a five mile stretch of the M25 close from Friday until Monday with work demolition work taking place between Junction 10 (A3 Wisley) and Junction 11 (A320 Chertsey Interchange).
This will be the first of five scheduled closures of the vital motorway network between March and December, with work being completed between J9 Leatherhead and J11 (A320 Chertsey Interchange)
However, many drivers could face chaos on the roads even after the roadworks are completed, prompting 800 local residents to sign a petition.
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The M25 will be closed from Friday, March 15, until Monday, March 18
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They are calling on the local authorities to keep the right turn at Seven Hills Road and Byfleet in Cobham once the M25 J10 project has been completed.
The residents have stated that they will be forced into making a U-turn every day and add extra time to their travels.
One of the plans is to cut down on the level of queues that form on the A3 by widening the slip road, although this will prevent people from making right turns.
Julia Lindon-Travers, one of the creators of the petition, said she would be forced to go around a roundabout multiple times and be forced to “change lanes multiple times”, according to the Local Democracy Service.
Surrey County Council said that only allowing people to turn left towards Byfleet would lead to time added to their average journeys at certain times of the day, adding that it would have a huge positive impact on road safety and help ease congestion by allowing more traffic to flow through the road.
In the meantime, drivers are being prepared for a weekend of traffic issues as thousands face traffic issues and may even have to scrap their plans.
Mark Tisshaw, Autocar editor, said: “While many drivers will understand that National Highways needs to make such closures to improve the UK’s roads, what will be frustrating to most is the poor planning and lack of consideration for motorists and residents in orchestrating the necessary diversions.
“The alternative route offered by National Highways not only doubles the journey it is replacing, but directs drivers through smaller, suburban streets in Surrey, which are unsuitable for this volume of traffic and will inevitably lead to heavy congestion.
“We don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect more practical alternatives for such an essential route.”
Alice Simpson, RAC breakdown spokesperson, also warned drivers ahead of the traffic chaos this weekend, calling on them to plan their journeys before setting off.
She said: “With the M25 closures and the Easter getaway both falling in March, it could be a month of double traffic trouble for drivers trying to get around London or access Gatwick and Heathrow.
“Despite fair warning, the reality is most holidaymakers seeking to use either airport will have booked their trips months ago and will have to leave a lot more time to get there – not least because the most obvious diversion routes are likely to get extremely congested.
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Drivers will have to follow the official diversion route
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“If you do plan to drive between the 15th and 18th, we recommend starting your car to test its battery health well in advance of travelling and remembering FORCES to check the Fuel, Oil, Rubber, Coolant, Electrics and Screen wash before making any long journey.”
