Passengers flying into or out of London Gatwick next week could face delays to their journeys as work continues in order to upgrade the M23 to a “smart motorway”.  During this period, there will be closures on the M23 as well as no access into Gatwick Airport from junction 9. 

Highways England have scheduled roadworks which will close parts of the M23 as well as the westbound spur of the M23.

• On Monday 13 May, there will be a full southbound carriageway closure from the M23 Junction 8 to Junction 9. The southbound carriageway will be open from Junction 9, allowing traffic leaving Gatwick to use the motorway. Southbound traffic will be diverted via M25 Junction 6, A22 and A264 to join the M23 at Junction 10. Traffic for Gatwick will then follow a secondary diversion via Crawley (A2011, A23 and Airport Way) to reach the airport. And full northbound closure Junction 10 to Junction 8. Northbound traffic for Gatwick will be diverted off the motorway at Junction 10 and via the Crawley diversion.
• On Tuesday 14 May, there will be a full closure of the southbound carriageway between Junction 8 and Junction 9. The southbound carriageway will be open from Junction 9, allowing traffic leaving Gatwick to use the motorway. Southbound traffic will be diverted via M25 Junction 6, A22 and A264 to join the M23 at Junction 10.
• On Wednesday 15 to Thursday 16 May there will be a full northbound closure on the M23 from Junction 10-8 for two nights. Traffic will be diverted off the motorway at Junction 10. Traffic for Gatwick will follow the diversion route via Crawley (A2011, A23, Airport Way) to reach the airport. Traffic for the M25 will follow a signed diversion via A264 and A22 to join the M25 at Junction 6.
• On Friday 17 May to Sunday 19 May the southbound exit slip and northbound exit slip from the M23 to Gatwick will be closed for traffic. There will be no access into Gatwick Airport from junction 9. The M23 main carriageway in both directions will be open for traffic. There will be a fully signed diversion route in place. Traffic for Gatwick will then follow a secondary diversion via Crawley (A2011, A23 and Airport Way) to reach the airport.

Sussex Police, Surrey Police and Local Authorities have approved the following diversions:

• From Junction 10 of the M23 to Gatwick Airport– via the A2011, A23, Airport Way leading to the North and South Terminals.
• To the M25 – via junction 10 of the M23, A264, A22 follow signs to Godstone and join M25 at junction 6.

If you are travelling to or from Gatwick Airport on 17, 18 or 19 May, it is advisable to consider how best to make your journey to or from the airport.  These options could include:

• Leaving considerably more time for your journey, as diversion routes are likely to be congested
• Re-arranging flights either for alternative dates or via other London airports
• Booking Gatwick Express – or other train services – to or from the airport
• Switching from flights to Eurostar, where appropriate
• Hiring a private jet

The closures are part of a £164milllion major scheme to upgrade the 11mile stretch of M23 between junctions 8 and 10.  The design phase started in 2016 and work commenced in July 2018, which completion due in the Spring of 2020.  This scheme aims to:

• reduce congestion by smoothing the flow of traffic to improve journey times and make them more reliable
• facilitate economic growth within the region, by providing much-needed capacity on the motorway
• maximise motorway capacity while maintaining safety

Contact your GTM Account Manager if you want to change your travel plans, switch flights, pre-book Gatwick Express trips, book a Eurostar journey or hire a private jet during the M23 road closures.