Picture this: miles of taillights stretching into the horizon, a sea of brake lights blinking like a sad, synchronized dance. Drivers are reporting delays of up to an hour—which, let’s be honest, is basically a lifetime when you’re just trying to get to work or, more importantly, brunch.
One poor soul told me they left home at 6 AM and didn’t see a coffee shop until lunchtime. That’s not a commute; that’s a survival challenge.
The closures are between Junction 6 (for Gatwick and Godstone) and Junction 8 (for Reigate and Banstead). It’s the kind of stretch where you start memorizing the number plates of the cars around you. “Hello, blue Ford Fiesta, we’re in this together now.”
Why Are They Doing This to Us?
Don’t worry, it’s not a secret government experiment to test our patience (though it feels like it). National Highways says they’re carrying out urgent resurfacing and upgrading the smart motorway technology. In plain English: they’re fixing potholes and adding cameras to catch you yawning.
The work is scheduled to last several weeks, so pack snacks, download a podcast, and maybe bring a book. Or, you know, a time machine.
