M25 to shut overnight for a month between Darenth Interchange and Swanley Interchange due to National Highways bridge maintenance works

Part of the M25 is set to be shut overnight for almost a month.

National Highways will be carrying out maintenance works to the bridge which carries the motorway over the railway line between Farningham Road and Swanley railway stations.

Workers will be replacing a bridge expansion joint that is “reaching the end of its serviceable life”.

The motorway will be shut between Junction 2 (Darenth Interchange) and Junction 3 (Swanley Interchange) from 10pm and 5.30am on weekdays, between February 9 and March 7.

The northbound carriageway, including the M25 Junction 3 entry slip road and the M20 to M25 northbound link road, will be closed from Monday (February 9), until Saturday, February 21.

During this period, a diversion route will be in place:

- Traffic will be directed onto the M20 westbound to Junction 4, the A228 northbound to the Merrals Shaw Interchange to join the M2.

- Drivers will then merge onto the London‑bound A2 before rejoining the M25 at the Junction 2 Darenth Interchange.

The southbound carriageway, including the M25 Junction 2 entry slip road, will be closed from Monday, February 23, until Saturday, March 7.

During this period, a diversion route will be in place:

- Traffic will be directed from the M25 at the Darenth Interchange onto the A2 coastbound, continuing to join the M2.

- Drivers will then exit the M2 at Junction 2 and follow the route to the Merrals Shaw Interchange, A228 southbound to the M20 at Junction 4 and following the M20 westbound to the M25 Junction 3 Swanley interchange.

National Highways says the existing expansion joint is more than 15 years old and reaching the end of its serviceable life.

The new joint is expected to last for around 15 years.

The motorway sees on average 200,000 to 250,000 journeys a day.