Traffic is queuing on the M25 for the Dartford Crossing
There were long queues on the M25 for motorists making early summer holiday getaways today.
Lane and tunnel closures on the anti-clockwise carriageway at the Dartford[1] Crossing due to a broken-down vehicle caused long delays this evening.
Traffic chaos starts as the schools summer holidays begin. Picture: National Highways
Two lanes and the left-hand tunnel were closed but have since reopened after the road was cleared.
This evening, an accident closed a lane anticlockwise near Junction 2 at the Darenth interchange but as of 8pm it had been cleared.
At the peak of the hold-ups, there were hour-long delays this afternoon with motorists stuck in stop-start traffic.
It was causing significant congestion on surrounding roads, particularly in Dartford and Greenhithe, as drivers prepared to leave the county for the school holidays.
Earlier today, the west tunnel of the A282 Dartford Crossing was closed following a crash involving a car and a lorry[2].
There were delays of up to 60 minutes, with five miles of congestion stretching back to the M25 J3 for Swanley.
There were 50-minute delays at the Dartford Crossing. Picture: National Highways
It had reopened just before 8am.
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Elsewhere in Kent, queues are also forming outside Dover[6] with images showing lorries backing up on the A20[7].
Dover TAP has been put in place.
P&O Ferries warned: “There are currently queues at border control, please allow extra time to clear all security checks.
“Check-in closes 60 minutes before your booked sailing time. Rest assured, if you miss your sailing, you’ll be on the first available once at check-in.”