M25 junction 28 improvements

Latest updates

• 23 June 2022

  Our online information portal is now open

  We’d like to thank everyone who came to see the team at our recent public information events. Your comments and feedback have been welcomed and if possible, we’ll be looking into how we can implement some of your suggestions.

  If you missed any of the events but would still like to learn more about the scheme, our online portal is open and has a host of information about the scheme. This includes how we’ll be constructing the scheme, a timeline of the project and a fly-through video of how it will look once finished.

  We’re on track to begin our preparation works at the end of July, when we’ll start getting the site for the main construction works, scheduled for October.

  If you’d like to be kept informed of any scheme updates, please check back on this page or sign up to our newsletter.

• 30 May 2022

  Preparation work begins

  For us to start our main construction work in October and be completed by summer 2025, we’ll need to carry out some preparation work from the end of July.

  This work includes:

  • clearing vegetation
  • working with Cadent Gas to divert a gas mains pipe
  • setting up the site compound to provide welfare facilities for everyone working on site
  • carrying out archaeological and ground investigation surveys

  Meet the team

  We’ll soon be launching our virtual information portal as well as holding face-to-face sessions, which gives you the perfect opportunity to meet the team and ask any questions you may have.

  The portal will be launching next week and the link to access the page will appear at the top of this webpage.

  You can meet us face-to-face at the following locations:

  Location	Date	Time
  Thurrock Services, between junction 30 and 31, RM16 3BG	Wednesday 15 June	11am to 6pm
  Holiday Inn, M25 junction 28, Brook Street, Brentwood, CM14 5NF	Thursday 16 June	11am to 7pm
  Ingatestone & Fryerning Community Centre, High Street, Ingatestone, CM4 9ED	Friday 17 June	10am to 6pm
  Henderson Sports & Social Club, Kenilworth Avenue, Romford, RM3 9NE	Saturday 18 June	9am to 2pm

  
  We look forward to seeing you at our events.

  If you’d like to be kept informed, please check back on this page for the latest updates or sign up to our newsletter.

• 16 May 2022

  Development Consent Order given the green light

  Today we welcomed the Secretary of State for Transport decision to grant us a Development Consent Order, which allows us to proceed with our proposals to improve the M25 junction 28.

  At peak times up to 7,500 vehicles per hour pass through this heavily used junction, resulting in queues and delays. Improving the flow of traffic around this junction and allowing more capacity on the exit slip roads, will provide a safer and more integrated network for everyone. There will also be less likelihood of traffic queuing back onto the M25 due to the reconfiguration of the junction.

  Thank you to everyone for their engagement and contribution in the development of the scheme to date.

  To make sure you know what’s coming up, sign up to our project newsletter using the sign-up link below, we’ll also be providing regular updates on this page.

  You can view more information about the decision on the Planning Inspectorate website.

  Keeping you informed

  We plan to start preparation work this summer, with main construction starting this autumn. To make sure you know what’s coming, and to keep everyone up to date, we will:

  • issue regular project newsletters – you can join the mailing list by signing up on this page
  • run online briefings in summer 2022 to provide the opportunity to ask the team any questions
  • organise face-to-face events using our engagement van at local venues. These will provide information about the scheme and allow us to answer any questions you and others may have. We will provide you with more details of these on this page soon.

• 28 February 2022

  Lane closures for survey work - 7 March to 11 March

  We’ll be carrying out surveys to confirm the location of utility pipes under the junction 28 roundabout and on the M25 anti-clockwise entry slip.

  We’re carrying out these surveys to make sure we’re in the best position to start construction, if we get the go-ahead for our proposals. To confirm what is below the road surface, we’ll be drilling some small holes, these will be filled in before the road reopens to traffic.

  The surveys will take place overnight from Monday 7 March up to and including Friday 11 March, between 10pm and 5am each night.

  In order to safely carry out these works, we’ll have lane closures on the following roads:

  • M25 anti-clockwise entry slip
  • inside lane of the junction 28 roundabout between the A12/Colchester Road westbound entry slip and A12/Colchester Road eastbound exit slip

• 15 December 2021

  Development Consent Order decision date delayed

  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked for more time to make a decision on whether we can continue with our proposals to improve the M25 junction 28.  

  In his statement, the Secretary of State sets out he is extending the deadline to 16 May 2022 to allow for further consideration of environmental matters.

  We’re committed to delivering the improvements at M25 junction 28 and remain confident that our proposals will deliver much needed additional capacity, with better connectivity for people and business, and safer journeys for everyone. At peak times up to 7,500 vehicles per hour pass through this heavily used junction, resulting in queues and delays.  

  Thank you to everyone for their engagement and contribution in the development of the scheme to date. We will continue to work with the Planning Inspectorate, local stakeholders and local authorities until the Secretary of State makes his decision.

  Further information regarding the extension and any additional consultations will be posted on the Planning Inspectorate’s website.

• 22 September 2021

  Scheme prepares for Secretary of State decision

  The Development Consent Order (DCO) examination for our improvements at M25 junction 28 was completed in mid-July.

  The planning inspectorate has also completed its report, which has now been submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport, for his consideration. This report is not made available until a decision is announced by the Secretary of State.

  We’re expecting a decision later this year and, if we get the go-ahead, we would look to start work in spring next year.

  We’ve awarded a contract to GRAHAM to build the scheme. Until we receive the Secretary of State’s decision we’ll be carrying on with the detailed design and planning how to build the scheme. We’ll hold public events to provide more information about how we will deliver the scheme before we start any work.

  Don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter on the right-hand side of this page to stay up to date with the project.

• 08 July 2021

  Examination completed

  The examination into our proposals to make improvements to the M25 junction 28 has finished.

  A report will now be prepared by the Planning Inspector for the Secretary of State, including a recommendation about whether the scheme should go ahead or not. This report is not made available until a decision is announced by the Secretary of State. We’re expecting this decision at the start of next year.

  All documents relating to the Development Consent Order (DCO), including documents, drawings and plans can be viewed on the Planning Inspectorate webpage.

  Thank you to everyone for their engagement and contribution in the development of the scheme to date.

  Our video explains more about the how we develop new road schemes and the DCO process.

• 07 May 2021

  Examination update – date confirmed for next public hearing

  The next stage of the examination of our proposals for the M25 junction 28 has been confirmed by the Planning Inspectorate.

  A public hearing, known as Issue Specific Hearing, will be held on 12 May 2021. This hearing will cover a number of different elements of the scheme, including traffic and noise. You can view the agenda and topics on the Planning Inspectorate website. Due to Covid, the hearing will be held virtually.

  As part of the examination process, the inspectors can decide to hold hearings around specific issues, which allows them to ask questions and clarify evidence that has been submitted.

  While hearings are open for everyone, priority to speak is given to interested parties. More information about attending or viewing the hearing can be found on the Planning Inspectorate website.

  The Planning Inspectorate acts on behalf of the Secretary of State. Once the review is complete, a recommendation is made to the Secretary of State for Transport, who will decide on whether or not the scheme will go ahead.

• 27 April 2021

  Surveys - April 2021

  This month, we’ll be carrying out some surveys, as part of the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, for the M25 junction 28 improvement scheme. 

  You may spot our teams using specialist equipment close to the junction to gather information about what’s below the ground, including the drainage, and to check if there is any archaeology that we need to be aware of as part of our scheme. 

  For us to carry out this work safely, we will need to have some temporary road closures in place. These will be overnight to minimise impact to road users.

  • The A12 northbound carriageway at junction 28 will be closed from 10pm on Tuesday 27 April, reopening by 5am Wednesday 28 April. During the closure, you’ll need to leave the road at the junction 28 northbound exit slip, then re-join the A12 using the junction 28 entry slip.
  • The M25 junction 28 eastbound exit slip road/A12 northbound will be closed from 10pm on Thursday 29 April, re-opening by 5am Friday 30 April. You will still be able to exit the M25 at junction 28, where a signed diversion will take you off the second exit of the roundabout onto the A1203. Then follow the A1203 to join the A12 at junction 12. Depending on progress and the weather, this closure may also be required between 10pm Friday 30 April to 5am Saturday 1 May.

• 07 April 2021

  Examination update – April 2021

  The start of March saw the first round of public hearings held by the Planning Inspectorate. Forming part of the examination process of our proposals to improve the M25 junction 28, the hearings provide the inspectors the opportunity to ask questions about information that has been submitted.

  Due to the current restrictions, all the hearings were held virtually. Recordings and written versions of the sessions can be found on the Planning Inspectorate website.

  The examination process takes up to six months, before a report and recommendation is produced for the Secretary of State. Our video will help you understand more about how it works.

   

  We’ve also recently published a series of suggested changes to the scheme via the Planning Inspectorate website. We've requested feedback on these changes from those affected. More information about the changes can be found in our letter to the Examining Authority.

• 12 February 2021

  Examination update

  The Planning Inspectorate has confirmed the dates for the next stage of its examination of our proposals for the M25 junction 28.

  A series of public hearings will be held during the week commencing 1 March 2021, covering a number of different issues. The agendas and topics for each of the hearings can be found on the Planning Inspectorate website and on our public notice. Due to Covid, all the hearings will be held virtually.

  The examination is mainly a written process, but the inspectors can decide to hold hearings around specific issues. These hearings provide the inspectors the opportunity to ask questions and clarify evidence that has been submitted. Invites to attend the hearings are automatically sent to those who have registered an interest in the issue.

  While hearings are open for everyone, priority to speak will be given to interested parties. More information about attending or viewing the hearing can be found on the Planning Inspectorate website.

  The Planning Inspectorate acts on behalf of the Secretary of State. Once the review is complete, a recommendation is made to the Secretary of State for Transport, who will decide on whether or not the scheme will go ahead.

• 27 January 2021

  Examination timetable announced

  The Planning Inspectorate has announced the dates for its review of our plans to improve the M25 junction 28, marking the start of the six-month ‘Examination’ period.

  The Preliminary Meeting was held virtually across two days and closed on 7 January 2021. This meeting introduced the inspectors to a mixed audience of residents, stakeholders and groups with an interest in the scheme, and gave an overview of the review.

  Following the meeting, the Inspectorate formally set out the timetable, known as a Rule 8 letter, and issued its first written questions. The timetable includes deadlines for items such as written representations, impact reports, comments on representations made by other parties and dates for hearings.

  A copy of the letter, questions and notes from meeting can be viewed on the Planning Inspectorate webpage. Documents and information gathered as part of the review will also be made available.

  Once the review is complete, a report is prepared for the Secretary of State, who then makes the decision to grant or refuse development consent.

• 16 December 2020

  M25 junction 28 – what’s happening?

  The Examining Authority are currently undertaking an independent examination. They are assessing the important and relevant issues along with the initial views of the ‘Interested Parties’ of the proposed improvements to the M25 junction 28. The Examining Authority will then issue an initial assessment of the issues that they would like to examine along with a draft timetable for the examination.

  A ‘Preliminary Meeting’ will then be held, and due to the current restrictions around public events, this meeting could be online and take place over a couple of days.

  Following this meeting a final timetable will be issued and the six month ‘Examination’ period will start. During the examination period, hearings will take place where ‘Interested Parties’ are invited to provide more details of their views in writing and the Examining Authority will ask their written questions. All documents received and issued by the Planning Inspectorate will be published on the Planning Inspectorate webpage.
  
  Following the examination, the Examining Authority will then prepare a report to the Secretary of State for Transport, including a recommendation about whether to grant or refuse development consent. Within three months of the close of the examination, the report will then be sent to the Secretary of State and is not published until the decision is made.

  The Secretary of State then has 3 months to make a decision to grant or refuse development consent. Both this decision and the Examining Authority’s report will then be available on the Planning Inspectorate webpage.
  
  We submitted an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) on 27 May 2020 and it was accepted for examination on 24 June 2020. All documents relating to the DCO, including the application form and accompanying documents, drawings, plans and maps and the Environmental Statement can be viewed electronically and free of charge on the Planning Inspectorate webpage. Alternatively, you can view these documents at either Brentwood library or Essex library.

• 15 July 2020

  Give your views on the scheme

  There will be a six-week representation period followed by further time to arrange the examination, before the formal six-month examination period can start. During the examination, the Planning Inspectorate will issue requests for further information from us and other parties to be provided in writing. They also will facilitate a series of public hearings.

  To contribute to this process, you will need to register as an Interested Party once the representation period opens and make a Relevant Representation outlining your views to the Planning Inspectorate. The Planning Inspectorate need to receive this during the representation period. We will carry out targeted publicity about the representation period when the arrangements including dates are finalised. You also can receive updates on the scheme from the Planning Inspectorate, including confirmation of when you can submit a Relevant Representation, by signing up to scheme updates on the Planning Inspectorate webpage for the scheme.

  The Planning Inspectorate website has an advice note which outlines how the general public can get involved including how to submit a Relevant Representation in order to become an Interested Party.

• 01 July 2020

  Application for Development Consent Order

  Our proposals for the M25 junction 28 improvement scheme are the subject of an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO). We are applying for a DCO to give us the planning permission and legal powers we need to build the scheme. We have submitted our application to the Planning Inspectorate, the government agency responsible for operating the planning process for DCOs. Our DCO application was accepted by the Planning Inspectorate on 24 June 2020 for formal examination.

  You can view our application on the Planning Inspectorate website.

• 06 December 2019

  Supplementary consultation now closed

  Our supplementary consultation on the proposed changes and newly identified impacts of the scheme closed on 2 December at 11.59pm. You can still view all of the information about our proposals in the 'Project media files and documents' section below.

  We would like to thank those who got involved, as we begin to review, consider and analyse your feedback.

  This scheme is categorised as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project under the Planning Act 2008. As such, we're required to make an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to obtain the necessary approvals to construct and operate the scheme.