Dartford Tunnel Closed for Hours After Lorry Crash Causes Major M25 Disruption
Drivers are facing significant delays on the M25 this afternoon after a serious incident forced the closure of the Dartford Tunnel. National Highways has confirmed the tunnel will remain shut for several hours due to substantial damage caused by a lorry strike, requiring extensive repairs at the scene.
Severe Infrastructure Damage and Repair Timeline
The crash occurred on the A282 Dartford Tunnel northbound between Junction 1a at Dartford and Junction 31 at Thurrock, affecting routes in both Kent and Essex. Authorities have warned that the closure is expected to last for multiple hours as repair crews work to address the damage. National Highways stated in an official update:
Due to substantial damage following a lorry strike. Extensive repairs needed. Expect tunnel to be closed for several hours.
This has led to hour-long delays on approach roads, with congestion building rapidly ahead of the evening rush hour. Motorists are being advised to seek alternative routes or allow extra travel time.
Impact on Traffic and Driver Advisory
The closure has created long queues on the M25, with traffic backing up for miles in the affected areas. Key points for drivers include:
- Expect delays of at least one hour on approaches to the tunnel.
- The northbound tunnel is completely closed between Dartford and Thurrock junctions.
- Extensive repairs are underway, but no precise reopening time has been given.
- Alternative crossings like the Dartford Crossing or other Thames routes may experience increased congestion.
National Highways continues to monitor the situation and provide updates via traffic alerts. The incident underscores the vulnerability of critical transport infrastructure to vehicle strikes and the resulting widespread disruption.
As repairs progress, drivers are urged to check live traffic reports before travelling and consider postponing non-essential journeys in the area. The closure is likely to affect commuter traffic well into the evening, with residual delays expected even after the tunnel reopens.
