For the first time since its opening in 1986, a significant section of the M25 motorway in Surrey was closed over the weekend, between junctions 10 and 11, causing extensive traffic congestion and impacting local residents and businesses. The closure, necessary for the demolition of a bridge and installation of a new gantry in an area known for accidents, prompted queues of at least two miles on the motorway and six miles along diversion routes. Despite National Highways’ efforts to minimize disruption, concerns were raised about the impact on emergency services and potential losses for local businesses, with some anticipating a 50% drop in turnover due to the diversion.

The congestion and closure are part of a larger plan to improve the M25, aiming to enhance safety and traffic flow, especially between the busy junctions leading to Heathrow and Gatwick airports. This project, expected to be completed by summer 2025, includes more planned closures, raising challenges for managing the disruption caused by essential work on one of the UK’s busiest motorways.

In an unrelated but noteworthy response to the closure, Hollywood star Tom Cruise reportedly planned to fly the cast and crew of Mission Impossible 8 over the affected section of the M25 to avoid delays and keep film production on schedule. Cruise, a trained pilot, is known for his dedication to the film franchise, often performing daring stunts himself. The plan to use a helicopter for transport to and from Surrey’s Longcross Studios, where filming is taking place, highlights the unique measures taken to counteract the impact of the motorway closure. While the actor nor the studio have officially confirmed this action, Cruise’s reputation for pushing the limits suggests that the maneuver is within the realm of possibility.