Delays expected as A3 closed for bridge demolition

Cockcrow Footbridge is one of two crossings being demolished during the latest closure of the A3

Drivers are being warned to expect delays this weekend when the A3 is closed for bridge demolition work.

The busy trunk road will be completely closed between the A247/B2215 near Send and Junction 10 of the M25 near Wisley from 21:00 GMT on Friday.

It is due to reopen at 05:30 on Monday.

A diversion stretching 23 miles will be put in place.

National Highways said the closure is necessary to allow the demolition of the Old Wisley Lane bridge and the Cockcrow pedestrian bridge.

Drivers travelling northbound will be diverted via Send, West Byfleet, Byfleet and Cobham.

Motorists headed southbound will be taken via Leatherhead, Dorking, Shere and Newlands Corner.

Jonathan Wade, a project manager from National Highways, told BBC Radio Surrey: "Both the bridges that we’re taking down are fairly standard bridges, nothing complicated.

"I don’t foresee any problems at all."

The RHS Garden at Wisley said it would be closed over the weekend as a result of the roadworks.

The A3 was closed for a weekend last October for the construction of a new road bridge.

National Highways closed the A3 in October to install beams for a new road bridge

The M25 will be closed from 15-18 March between junctions 10 and 11 for more demolition works.

Mr Wade said that closure was due to a "completely different issue".

"We’re having to divert long distance traffic [for the M25 closure in March] well away from the west side of the M25 to the eastern side over the bridges," he said.

"We’ll signpost throughout almost the whole of the south of England. It’s taking a lot of boots and a lot of planning."

The works are part of the M25 Junction 10 upgrade project which is expected to be completed by mid-2025.