The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing shut shortly before midday on November 1 following a police incident, leaving drivers facing long delays on the M25 between Essex and Kent.
National Highways said the bridge, which carries southbound traffic across the River Thames, was closed after an operation led by Essex Police on it. One of the two Dartford Crossing tunnels, used by northbound anti-clockwise traffic on the A282, has also been shut.
No Timetable for Reopening
National Highways said: “Due to the nature of the incident, there are currently no timescales for how long the closure may be in place for.”
The authority added: “As a result of this incident, the eastbore tunnel (for northbound traffic at the crossing) is also closed. Northbound crossing traffic is confined to using the west bore Dartford tunnel only with a height restriction of 4’8m (15’9″). Vehicles over this height will have to seek an alternative route via the clockwise M25.”
Motorists Report Standstill Traffic
Drivers using the crossing must pay the Dart Charge, which rose to £3.50 last year. One frustrated motorist said on social media: “I hope Dart Charge will be issuing refunds. I have now missed my plans and I’m sat here in standstill.”
Another driver reported being “sitting here standstill for an hour.” Traffic is backing up for miles on the M25 towards both Kent and Essex, with cars also stationary on the A13 towards Lakeside Shopping Centre in Thurrock and towards junction J3 with the M20.
On some days, traffic on the Dartford Crossing, which includes the two tunnels and the bridge, can reach up to 180,000 vehicles.
