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An insider’s guide to alternative and delicious places to stop just off motorways and main roads.

Motorway services are boring – motorways are boring – but they’re a necessary and convenient evil when you need to break the journey, especially when travelling with kids and pets. Enter The Extra Mile, here to steer you away from mediocre, expensive motorway service stations and garage forecourt food and into the arms of the UK’s best farm shops, independent cafes, and cosy pubs, all within striking distance of motorway junctions and main A roads.

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Madness in the Fast Lane

The Craigslist Killer: Seven Days of Rage

In 2008 two Swedish sisters, Ursula and Sabina Eriksson, were filmed by BBC cameras throwing themselves into oncoming traffic on a British motorway. The shocking scenes came to national attention in the UK where it was watched by over 7 million viewers on television along with millions of further views on social media. Due to legal restrictions at the time, the story previously could not be shared in its entirety.

Madness in the Fast Lane tells the complete story behind the incident, starting from just before the cameras filmed the motorway footage to what happened over the next three days, where one of the sisters, Sabina, ended up stabbing a man in the chest and fleeing the scene of the crime. She later ended up pleading guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility after apparently suffering from an episode of ‘folie à deux’, a rare psychiatric syndrome where delusional ideas are transmitted between individuals.

The documentary includes perspectives from the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, and a leading criminal psychiatrist who discuss the complexities regarding the case and what it took to bring it to trial.

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Two-mile tailback on M25 as section closed for weekend

Traffic also building along diversion route through Surrey towns as five-mile stretch of UK’s busiest motorway closes

Traffic is building on the M25 in Surrey due to the unprecedented closure of a section of Britain’s busiest motorway.

A five-mile stretch of the motorway between junctions 10 and 11 in Surrey was closed in both directions at 9pm on Friday while a bridge is demolished and a new gantry installed. It will reopen at 6am on Monday.

National Highways South East (NHSE), in a post on X, formerly Twitter, said there were two miles of tailbacks on approach to the closure at junction 10 on Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, traffic began to build along the main diversion route through Byfleet, West Byfleet, Woking and Ottershaw.

NHSE estimated the average journey time along the diversion route was 25 minutes, assuring drivers of minimal congestion.

Motoring experts say official estimates of congestion levels may be optimistic, while local councillors in areas where motorway traffic will be diverted are anticipating gridlock.

The M25, which encircles London , normally carries between 4,000 and 6,000 vehicles in each direction every hour from 10am until 9pm at weekends between junctions 9 and 11, including airline passengers travelling to and from the UK’s two busiest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick.

National Highways said modelling carried out while it was developing its plans for this weekend indicated vehicles would face delays of up to five hours without mitigation measures, such as urging drivers to stay away.

The government-owned body believes its awareness campaign will help reduce traffic levels by approximately 50%, meaning the length of time added to journeys will be limited to about an hour. An 11.5-mile diversion route has been created to direct motorway traffic along A roads.

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National Highways is urging drivers not to use their satnavs to attempt to find quicker alternative routes on minor roads due to fears this could cause significant congestion.

Steve Gooding, the director of the motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, told PA Media: “We must hope National Highways has overstated its dire predictions of satnavs adding to the traffic chaos by taking drivers off the official diversion route, because the temptation to try to skip the queues will be intense, and the impact on actual journey times uncertain.

“Whilst the modelling suggests around an hour might be added to people’s travel time, that will feel optimistic to anyone used to the frustrations of driving round the M25 on days even without major construction works under way.”

St Peter’s hospital in Chertsey has urged people to “only visit if it is necessary” this weekend. It said: “Please be aware of the diversions that will be in place and that there is likely to be considerable congestion in the local area. Please plan your journey allowing extra time as it is likely to take longer than usual.”

The unprecedented closures have led to some school sport fixtures scheduled for this weekend in Surrey to be postponed. Councillors whose wards are on the diversion route expressed concerns about the anticipated disruption.

Malcolm Cressey of Runnymede borough council said: “I think it’s going to be a difficult period but we have to sort out those bridges. I think it’s going to be very disruptive. I would certainly urge anybody to try to avoid the area. It could end up with all sorts of gridlock in our area.”

Tahir Aziz of Woking borough council said: “We’ve never experienced something like this before. It will have a significant impact in this area. It will cause huge disruption and delays, and a lot of traffic jams.”

Four more daytime closures of the motorway will take place up to September. The project, due to be completed in summer 2025, will increase the number of lanes at junction 10, which is one of the UK’s busiest and most dangerous motorway junctions.

Gooding added: “National Highways needs to learn from this weekend’s experience and work closely with neighbouring road managers to minimise the traffic impacts of the further planned closures.

“It must give as much certainty and notice as possible – months rather than weeks – to drivers and hauliers, many of whom will be making trips that can’t be put off to another day.”

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M1 traffic LIVE: Major UK motorway shut as 'serious crash' causes eight miles of queues

T raffic bosses are urging drivers to take a lengthy diversion on the M1 after a "vehicle struck a bridge", causing a "serious collision". The M1 in Hertfordshire is currently closed south-bound between junction 8 at Hemel Hempstead and junction 6 of the M25.

Emergency services, including Hertfordshire Constabulary and Watford Police are at the scene along with National Highways traffic officers. Live traffic alerts suggest drivers will be stuck in traffic for at least another 90 minutes with queues stretching eight miles - and into rush hour.

"If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey," a National Highways spokesman said.

Some smaller roads, especially the A1417 is also experiencing congestion due to the closure. It is not yet known when the road will reopen and the extent of any injuries.

Hertfordshire Police have been contacted for a comment.

This is a live blog. See below for the latest updates.

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M1 closure: Drivers warned of potential congestion and delays with major motorway set to shut this week

WATCH: Surrey's Commissioner urges calm as M25 fully closes

By Felix Reeves

Published: 17/04/2024

Motorists have been advised to allow for extra time in their journeys

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Drivers are being warned of traffic delays later tonight on a major motorway with urgent roadworks taking place, which could lead to delays.

National Highways: East posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, earlier today to announce the "essential work" taking place on the M1.

As part of the roadworks, the M1 will be closed between 10pm and 5am from J9 (Friars Wash Interchange) to J11a (Charlton Interchange) Northbound.

The road maintenance organisation warned that if drivers do need to travel later in the evening, they should allow an extra 25 minutes for the journey.

Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]

National Highways said it hoped the disruption would be kept to a minimum

This will involve carriageway closures, lane closures, diversion routes, narrow lanes and speed restrictions.

It added that there will be another full overnight closure of M1 between J11a (Charlton Interchange) and J14 (Milton Keynes).

These repairs and roadworks are likely to be more disruptive, with National Highways warning drivers to allow an extra 40 minutes.

Posting on Facebook, National Highways: East added: "On Friday 19 April there's a full overnight closure of M1 junction 14 to 11a Southbound. Allow an extra 40 mins to your journey.

"On Saturday 20 April there's a full overnight closure of M1 junction 11a to 10 Southbound. Allow an extra 25 mins to your journey."

The announcement was met with some consternation from locals who criticised the decision to shut the road, especially with other highway maintenance taking place in the area.

One Facebook user said: "And due to your amazing levels of competence you just so happen to have the A1 northbound closed and the M40 northbound closed also!!!"

Another added: "Why close at 10pm? Most shift workers finish at 10pm in this area. Would help if the closure time was 10.30pm."

​ A third motorist questioned: "If it closes at 10pm, why put signage and cones out from 9pm?

"It's reasonable to assume it'll be fully open until 10pm - but it won't be.

"What's the official diversion route? Off at J10 & not your problem? Off at J9 and HGVs using routes with weight restrictions?"

National Highways: East has been completing resurfacing work across its road network this week, with the A14 between J43 (Bury St Edmunds) and J47a (Woolpit) seeing new traffic signs, road markings and road studs.

Drivers could see some delays on the M1 this week

These will be completed overnight, typically between 8pm and 6am on weeknights, with diversion routes already set out by the organisation.

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M25 closure: Everything you need to know ahead of motorway closing in both directions again

The UK's busiest motorway is shutting in both directions again next month across a seven-mile stretch between junctions 9 and 10 and diversions will be in place. Here's what you need to know about how bad traffic could be, the alternative route and why it's happening.

News reporter

Tuesday 16 April 2024 13:16, UK

Drivers are set to face significant delays as a section of the M25 shuts in both directions next month for the second time.

There was a two mile-long traffic jam when the motorway's first-ever planned daytime closure began on 15 March between junctions 10 and 11 in Surrey - though many drivers followed advice to steer clear of the area until it reopened late on 17 March, meaning long hold-ups were widely avoided .

This time it's junctions 9 and 10 that will be shut both ways and the stretch of road is two miles longer than last time.

Those set to be those travelling to, from and between the UK's two busiest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, are expected to be affected as National Highways has warned it expects long delays.

But is traffic expected to be worse than it was the first time, what are the diversion routes this time and will there be more closures after this one?

Here's everything we know so far.

When is the closure and how long will it last?

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It's from 9pm on Friday 10 May until 6am on Monday 13 May and will see a seven-mile stretch between junctions 9 and 10 closed - two miles more than in March.

What are the diversion routes?

Though there were fears of severe congestion on diversion routes along A-roads ahead of the first closure, many drivers followed advice to avoid the area, meaning long hold-ups were avoided.

But National Highways senior project manager Jonathan Wade has warned the next shutdown will be "far from a repeat of the previous closure" as the diversion routes are "longer and will be different for over-height vehicles and all other traffic".

Here are the 19-mile diversion routes, which use the A3 and the A243:

Diversion route clockwise for all but over-height vehicles: Leave M25 at junction 8, A217 (Reigate). Follow the A217 London, Sutton, (A240) Kingston. After 3½ miles turn left onto the A240 Epsom, Kingston. After 3 miles at the Esso roundabout, turn right onto the A24 (A240) Kingston. Continue for 3 miles and turn left onto the A3 Portsmouth, Guildford. Continue for 9½ miles to the M25 and re-join the motorway at junction 10.

Diversion route anticlockwise for all but over-height vehicles: Leave M25 at junction 10 to join the A3 towards London. After 9½ miles at the Hook interchange leave the A3 turning right onto the A240 Epsom, Reigate. Continue for 3 miles to the Esso roundabout and turn left onto the A240 Reigate. Continue for 3 miles then turn right onto the A217 Reigate, M25. After 3½ miles turn left to re-join the M25 motorway at junction 8.

Here's a map showing the closed road and diversion route:

Satnav warnings

Drivers are again being urged to ignore satnavs and only follow official diversion routes to prevent causing gridlock.

Mr Wade said: "Drivers listened to our advice last time which reduced motorway traffic levels by over two-thirds and meant delays were limited.

"Our advice again is please only travel if absolutely necessary and make sure you give yourself extra time if you do choose to use the M25."

Ahead of the last closure, he warned: "There's probably a greater risk of congestion by people just doing their own thing and thinking they can perhaps beat the signs and find a shorter or quicker route.

"That will cause further congestion on some of the key junctions so please avoid doing that if at all possible."

National Highways senior project manager Daniel Kittredge said: "If people move away from diversion routes that we prescribe, it creates additional issues in different parts of the road network.

"Stick on the prescribed diversion route. It's going to be more suitable for your journey."

How bad could it be?

It's only the second scheduled daytime all-lanes shutdown on the M25 since it opened in 1986, so the full extent of possible delays is not entirely clear.

The stretch between J9 and J11 is normally used by 4,000 to 6,000 vehicles in each direction every hour from 10am until 9pm at weekends.

And because the stretch of closed road is longer this time, the diversion route is also 7.5 miles longer than the one last month.

It's not only drivers who feel the effects; business owners along the diversion route during the last closure said they were forced to make cuts to their services in anticipation of traffic.

Airport warnings

People due to travel to Gatwick and Heathrow could be affected by the closure. Sky News has contacted both airports for comment on the latest disruption.

Last time, Heathrow Airport advised passengers planning to use the affected route to allow for extra time before their flight.

"Passengers using public transport should also be aware that The Airline (between Heathrow and Gatwick) and RailAir (RA2), will be running amended timetables over this weekend, please check with your operator for the latest information," their statement said.

In March, a London Gatwick Airport spokesperson said: "Passengers driving to the airport are advised to check diversion routes before they travel and allow extra time for potential delays.

"Gatwick's train station is well-connected and is a great alternative option for people travelling to the airport this weekend."

Read more from Sky News: Luxury hotel offers free night's stay if it rains too much 'Absolutely gross' maggots force flight to make U-turn

Why is it happening?

Government-owned company National Highways said the action is necessary to enable a bridge to be demolished and a new gantry to be installed as part of a £317m improvement project.

National Highways says the project will increase the number of lanes and make it easier to enter and exit the M25 at junction 10, which is one of the UK's busiest and most dangerous motorway junctions.

"These improvements will bring long-term benefits to drivers who pass through this stretch of the M25, not to mention pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders who will also see positive changes in the area," Mr Wade said.

Is this the last closure?

No - it's the second of five planned full closures between the junctions. The other dates have not yet been confirmed.

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National Highways has said it intends to close the M25 for three more weekends this year.

"There will be no weekend closures in June," it said in a statement.

"The remaining closures will take place between July and the end of 2024. We will be in a position to announce the date of the next closure as soon as the May closure is over."

The project began in summer 2022 and is expected to last three years in total.

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Gaza protest shuts down Golden Gate Bridge for hours, causing gridlock on both sides of span

By Dave Pehling , Wilson Walker

Updated on: April 15, 2024 / 6:53 PM PDT / CBS San Francisco

The Golden Gate Bridge reopened to traffic early Monday afternoon following a pro-Palestinian protest that shut down the span in both directions for hours, according to CHP.

CHP reopened the bridge to southbound traffic shortly after 12:15 p.m., while northbound traffic was held for several minutes as authorities cleared their staging area that occupied those lanes as police and CHP officer arrested protesters. Both directions were reopened by around 12:20 p.m.

This concludes the Golden Gate Bridge protest pic.twitter.com/rP0KoRwOeM — Wilson Walker (@WilsonKPIX) April 15, 2024

"I'm sympathetic and I understand the cause," explain Scott. A driver stuck on 101.  "I do. I just wish I'd left 20 minutes earlier. I would have missed all of this."

Just short of the bridge, in a sea of cars going nowhere. One driver trying to reach family on the other side.

"I'm gonna try to get through," Scott said. "My daughter needs me. She's got four little ones there and I'm supposed to be helping take care of them while she's working."

The hours dragged on. People began walking pets, and striking out for supplies.

"Our poor Uber driver," said Brianna & Brienne, two passengers visiting from out of town.

And amongst the crowds a constant chatter about the protest that had stuck them all here. Some were sympathetic.

"Yes it's an inconvenience," Brienne added. "But it's also inconvenient to be inconvenient to a human being in Gaza right now."

"Stop arming Israel," said Sloan Cooper, looking at news of the protest on his phone as he stood by the bridge. "Which I think we should stop arming Israel. So I'm in support of that."

There was also plenty of frustration.

"My thing is civil liberties should be protected, but there is a limit," said John Fassero. "When you have this level of disruption in the transportation system, I think we need to draw a line."

The bridge protest was the second demonstration to impact traffic on Bay Area freeways. It was first reported shortly after 8 a.m., hours after a pro-Palestinian protest closed all lanes on I-880 in Oakland .

Southbound traffic on the span was at a standstill with traffic backing up through the Robin Williams Tunnel and well past Sausalito on southbound 101, CHP said.

There was also word from CHP that protesters were also trying to block traffic on the northbound side, though vehicles initially seemed to be getting across the span in that direction.

Chopper footage of the protest on the Golden Gate Bridge showed protesters with a banner that read "STOP THE WORLD FOR GAZA" across the southbound lanes. There was no traffic seen in the video moving in the northbound lanes. 

While the protesters were only occupying southbound lanes on the bridge, CHP may have closed the northbound lanes as authorities attempt to clear the protest.

Shortly before 10:30 a.m., video from chopper showed protesters being detained, but the bridge remained closed. Drivers in the southbound back-up on Highway 101 were being instructed by CHP to turn around as authorities tried to clear some of the traffic from the freeway.

At around 11:45 a.m., CHP confirmed that 20 people had been arrested total in the two protests. By noon, tow trucks were beginning to remove the vehicles that protesters had blocked lanes with from the bridge.

CHP later confirmed they arrested 26 protesters at the Golden Gate Bridge protest. The protesters used chains concealed in pipes to connect themselves to each other, slowing the process of clearing the demonstration. A total of four vehicles were impounded, CHP said.

The protesters arrested are facing a variety of charges, including unlawful assembly, remaining at an unlawful assembly, refusing to comply with a lawful order, unlawful stopping on a bridge, unlawfully being a pedestrian on a freeway, impeding an officer, conspiracy to commit a crime and false imprisonment.  

A similar protest  blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge last February.  However that protest did not result in any arrests and only closed the freeway briefly.  

The actions were planned as part of an "economic blockade" coordinated with similar protests around the world with disruptions happening in New York and Chicago . Protesters are hoping to target "the global economy for its complicity in Israel's ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people," organizers under the banner A15Action said.

According to Bay City News Service, an additional protest is planned for noon at UN Plaza and Market and Hyde streets in San Francisco, by the Group Code Pink. Another demonstration by the A15Action group is also planned at 5:30 p.m. at the Tesla factory in Fremont.  

• Golden Gate Bridge

Dave Pehling started his journalism career doing freelance writing about music in the late 1990s, eventually working as a web writer, editor and producer for KTVU.com in 2003. He moved to CBS to work as the station website's managing editor in 2015.

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