Drivers have been warned of double travel disruption today as the Heathrow Airport fire forces drivers to delay their weekend plans.
The fire which took place in the early hours of Friday morning has caused major delays to flights, trains and now roads with the M4 and M25 both impacted.
The M4 southbound has been shut between J4 and J4A following a fire at a nearby electrical substation that supplies Heathrow with power.
Drivers have now been urged to avoid travelling to the area with delays currently lasting more than 30 minutes on approach with the airport not expected to reopen until midnight.
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The M4 spur is expected to be closed for most of the day
PA/NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Heathrow has also advised passengers to contact their airlines for further information as the airport remains closed following the electrical substation fire.
"The closure and the airport is expected to remain closed all day," National Highways stated.
Travellers are advised to expect delays in the area and to follow social media updates for the latest flight information.
Sharing on X, Heathrow Airport said: "Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage. To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 23h59 on March 21.
"Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport and should contact their airline for further information. We apologise for the inconvenience."
Meanwhile, the M25 will be closed from 9pm on Friday until 6am on Monday between Junctions 10 (Wisley) and 11 (A320 Chester) in Surrey.
The M25 closure is part of a delayed £317million project to improve one of the motorway's most dangerous junctions.
Diversion routes on A-roads will be in place throughout the weekend with National Highways expecting a "notable increase in traffic" during the closure.
This will be the fifth and final M25 closure as part of the project, which started in summer 2022. The motorway will be closed to allow the agency to demolish and remove a bridge which is no longer needed.
Travellers heading to and from Gatwick Airport and football fans driving home from the England vs Albania match at Wembley will be particularly affected.
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."
Shaun Jones, AA Patrol of the Year added that drivers, particularly those in HGVs should follow the signed diversionary routes rather than using sat-navs or Google Maps.
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Heathrow expects to reopen by midnight tonight
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Jones noted: "During the previous closure, an HGV driver had to be rescued by Surrey Police from Pyrford Lock as they had followed Google Maps and not the agreed diversion route."
