An URGENT travel warning has been issued as the M25 and London Underground are in chaos with closures and no night tube ahead of the Euro 2024 final.
Britons are being sent on a 10-mile detour along the popular motorway, which is used by around 200,000 people every day.
The delay could spell trouble for fans rushing to the airport in the hope of getting to Germany in time for England to face Spain.
Pictures from today already show long queues and motorists are being asked to “drive only if absolutely necessary”.
The five kilometer stretch from Wisley to Chertsey in Surrey was closed from Friday night.
One side of the A3 in Wisley was jammed yesterday as road users tried to get around the diversion around the closed road.
The RAC advised football fans trying to get to Heathrow or Gatwick over the weekend to “leave earlier than usual”.
It is the third of five such closures to allow a new bridge to be built near the junction 10 roundabout as part of a £317m improvement plan.
The busy motorway, which rings London, closed between junctions 10 and 11 from 9pm on Friday and will not reopen until 6am on Monday, National Highways said.
Meanwhile, many fans in London planning post-match celebrations ahead of a potential Three Lions victory may have found themselves unable to get home as there is no late tube service.
This is despite pubs and bars across England being allowed to stay open until 1am on Monday.
British Beer And Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “We expect an incredible 10 million more pints to be poured in our pubs this Sunday on what promises to be a hugely exciting day for the country to toast England’s Euro final.
“Fans across the country will generate £48 million worth of additional business for pubs and breweries.”
Jonathan Wade, National Highways senior project manager, said: “Our advice is please only travel if absolutely necessary and make sure you allow yourself extra time if you choose to use the M25.”
He added that drivers should “ignore their sat navs” as they could take them off the official detour route, leaving them with fines and ULEZ charges.
These penalties will be suspended along the official route.
That being said, the RAC’s Alice Simpson said there was “no reason why this weekend couldn’t also go smoothly”.
Ms Simpson urged drivers to “plan their journeys well in advance and follow official diversion routes”.
And the AA’s Chris Wood told Inews: “With the potential for the weather forecast to improve and many football fans hoping to visit friends to cheer on their national team, it is likely to be incredibly busy in and around London, particularly at the M25 Junctions on 10-11 .
“Drivers are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and avoid the westbound side of the M25 if possible, but if not, expect delays and stick to detours.”