Highways Agency

Your Questions Answered

1) Why is the carriageway needing repair only nine years after the widened lanes opened to traffic?

There are several reasons why the carriageway now needs to receive permanent repairs:-

1. The carriageway was widened in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) which was linked to the Unreinforced Concrete (URC) slabs of the existing road. Subsequent experience has shown that the use of these two types of concrete road construction next to each other show areas of incompatibility.  This has resulted in several parts of the widened pavement exhibiting cracking under the loads from HGV’s.
2. In some areas the drainage manholes are situated close together and insufficient reinforcement was placed in the slab to resist the loading from vehicles and temperature effects from long periods of very warm weather.
3. Some of the small concrete slabs which replaced the old position of drainage gullies, have started rocking and cracked under the loading from vehicles.

2) Who is to blame for the poor quality of this widened part of the M25?

Repair of defects is normally the responsibility of the contractor but in this case the Agency has accepted that there were some areas of the specification and standards for this scheme which time has shown to be insufficient.    

3) Why are the works being carried out now?

Warm weather gives the most appropriate conditions for concrete work. Cold and rain would prolong the works and cause a longer period of disruption to our customers.

4) How long will it take?

The project will commence in early July and is scheduled for overall completion in December 2006. The current schedule for the project is as follows:

• Anticlockwise J10 - J9 concrete remedials complete
• Clockwise J9 - J10 ongoing expected completion 23rd October
• Anticlockwise J9 - J8 ongoing expected completion 10th November
• Clockwise J8 - 9 to follow on from work on Clockwise J9 - J10 with expected start date 24th October and completion 8th December

5) What length of road is involved?

Although the repairs are required in various places in the hardshoulder and Lane 1 on both carriageways between Junctions 8 and 10, the actual roadworks will be approximately 3 kilometres long at any one time. The roadworks will progress along the carriage commencing on the anticlockwise carriageway at Junction 10.

6) What are the key messages to users of this section of the M25?

• Plan your journey before setting out
• Consider alternative routes
• Allow extra time for your journey
• Drive safely and obey temporary 50 mph speed limit signs
• Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks
• Be alert for works’ traffic leaving or entering roadworks

7) Why can’t the work be carried out overnight and at weekends only?

The intention is to use 24 hour working. Limiting the work to overnight and weekends would considerably extend the programme. The use of resources would also be  uneconomical.

8) Will this section of the M25 Motorway still be open?

Yes. The motorway is only reduced to three lanes over an approximately 3 kilometre length of roadworks on one carriageway at any one time.

9) Will you be diverting traffic onto local roads?

No. For the short duration closures of slip roads, the signed diversion routes will be to use the M25 motorway to the next junction and return on the other carriageway.

10) How much extra time should we allow for journeys?

On the motorway, allow an additional 15 minutes at peak times through the works.

11) What if there is a major incident?

Emergency plans would be implemented in a similar way to the current operating arrangements.

12) What are the emergency plans for getting traffic away from the area?

The existing plans will be implemented.