M25 congestion and delays on Dartford Crossing approach

There are long delays on the approach to the Dartford Crossing.

Traffic is slow moving between junctions 1b and 2 for the Darenth Interchange of the M25.

There are long queues on the approach to the Dartford Tunnel. Photo: National Highways

According to traffic monitoring tool, Inrix there was a crash earlier involving a car and a lorry on the anti-clockwise carriageway heading towards the Dartford Tunnel.

Lanes three and four are closed and queues are forming back towards junction 3 for ther Swanley Interchange.

There is also congestion on the A2 joining the queues for the Crossing.

It’s understood issues in the Tunnel this morning have been impacted by overnight east tunnel closures and bridge maintenance, taking place between June and September.

National Highways says its now more than a third of the way through its work to re-waterproof the east tunnel carriageway.

There will be weeknight closures and extended closures most Saturday nights throughout July in the east tunnel.

This means routine inspections and maintenance in the west tunnel will now take place on Sunday nights.

The highways agency is also doing some repainting work on the bridge that carries the A226 The Brent over the A282 between junctions 1a and 1b. This prevents the steelwork from corroding and increases the lifespan of the bridge.

It needs to close part of the A282 before the Dartford Crossing on weeknights from tomorrow (MondayJuly 3) in order to safely access the underside of the bridge. This work is expected to last until mid-August.

The QEII bridge will be closed overnight on Saturday 15 July for inspections and maintenance.