Highways Agency

The Project

This scheme forms a part of the Highways Agency's existing strategic roads programme. The M25 is one of the busiest routes in England, the upgrades to this part of the motorway are vital in tackling congestion and improving the journey time and reliability to the road user.

In July 2003 the Highways Agency were asked to develop a phased programme for widening the remaining 3 lane sections of the M25 to dual 4 lanes over the next decade.

This section of the M25 includes motorway connections from the Dartford Crossing and the M20.

The Highways Agency announced in April 2004 that it would develop proposals for widening the M25 between Junctions 1b and 3.

The proposals include:

• Widening the M25 to 4 lanes between the south facing slip roads of Junction 2 and the north facing (M20) slip roads of Junction 3.
• The southbound M25 would be widened to 3 lanes from Junction 1B to south of Junction 2.
• No land take from outside the current limits of the M25.
• Low noise road surfacing and/or noise fencing to shield properties and to reduce traffic noise.
• Improved drainage pollution measures to trap spillage from the highway and prevent contamination of water courses.

Start of Works

Work began on widening junctions 1b to 3 of the M25 on 11th June 2007 and completion is scheduled for Autumn 2008.

To find out more about the progress of work please visit the Works Update page.

Update

The next three months will see the M25 work in the central reserve completed, providing drainage and a new concrete barrier between the four lanes of traffic in each direction. We will maintain three lanes throughout peak periods, with some lane closures overnight, to allow preparation for the low noise surfacing to be applied and gantries erected for overhead signage, some of which span both carriageways. To allow you to plan your journey we will tell you when these lane closures are due to take place.

The continued use of the Quick Moveable Barrier machine has increased the work we are able to do on both carriageways. As a result we are hoping to complete the scheme sooner than expected. The new dedicated link road from A2 westbound onto the M25 southbound will also be open to traffic, taking even more motorists away from junction two roundabout.

Communications work associated with both road schemes will continue until the end of the year, with minimal affect on the travelling public or disruption to local residents.

Traffic Management

For details of Traffic Management information for this scheme and the nearby A2/A282 Dartford Improvement scheme, please use the "Traffic Management" link.

We also have a Visitor Centre, open during office hours, at our site offices.

For contact details, and the address of our site offices please visit the Contact Information and Map page.

A2 / A282 Dartford Improvement

To find out more about progress on the related A2/A282 Dartford Improvement scheme please visit their scheme website.