Huge crash on major motorway closes lane and causes major delays

A massive stretch of the M25 remains closed this evening after a serious crash between a HGV and a car on the QEII bridge at Dartford Crossing earlier today. Bumper to bumper traffic is ongoing southbound on the M25/A282, with a section from J31 A1306 (Lakeside/Purfleet) to J1a A206 (Dartford) still closed for emergency resurfacing and barrier repairs. National Highways warned drivers this evening to still expect delays of 120 minutes.

Huge queues on both directions at the Dartford Crossing have formed after the lorry jack-knifed on the major bridge and spilled fuel over all lanes on the key road.

23:02Zahra Khaliq

M25 not expected to clear until midnight

Traffic on the M25 is likely to last until midnight, Traffic England says. "The event is expected to clear between 23:45 and 00:00 on 4 July 2025," it said.

21:15Zahra Khaliq

Damaged car pictured at crash site

This is the little accident which caused chaos for thousands today at Dartford Crossing... what a joke! pic.twitter.com/NzPEFfJJro[1]

-- Dan Dan Dan (@MicDropPopski) July 3, 2025[2] 21:12Zahra Khaliq

Hour-long delays continue

In its latest update posted shortly after 9pm, National Highways said drivers are facing delays of around one hour on the M25 clockwise between J29 and J30.

20:15Zahra Khaliq

Drivers stranded for six hours

Some drivers say they've been stuck on the M25 for six hours after today's crash. One X user described the scenes as "carnage".

Dartford Crossing carnage...

6 hours now, still not across the river. @HighwaysEAST @YvetteCooperMP pic.twitter.com/QIsiWIK0jA[3][4][5]

-- Dan Dan Dan (@MicDropPopski) July 3, 2025[6] 20:09Zahra Khaliq

M25 still closed nine hours after crash

A stretch of the M25 has been closed for around nine hours today following a crash between a HGV and a car at Dartford Crossing - which triggered an oil spill. While police investigations and recovery operations at the scene have concluded, the area from J31 A1306 (Lakeside/Purfleet) to J1a A206 (Dartford) is still blocked off for emergency resurfacing and barrier repairs. National Highways has warned drivers they may still be facing delays of 120 minutes.

15:32Liam Doyle

Delays hit 90 and 60 minutes as collision fallout continues

Highways England has said delays are hitting 90 and 60 minutes on the A282 this evening.

In a statement posted to social media, the body said: "The A282[7] at Queen Elizabeth II Bridge is CLOSED southbound due to a collision involving a car and HGV which caused a large fuel spillage across all lanes and will require emergency resurfacing. Delays 90 mins clockwise and over 60 mins anti-clockwise on approach to the incident."

14:50Elizabeta Ranxburgaj

'All lanes will require resurfacing'

The damage caused by the collision has forced urgent repair works to be conducted on the bridge. Fuel was spilled across all the lanes after the crash, so National Highways confirmed all southbound lanes will have to be resurfaced.

The agency also revealed barriers on the major bridge will also have to be repaired.

14:34Elizabeta Ranxburgaj

Traffic to clear up earlier than expected

Traffic England said the roads are expected to return to normal conditions between 17.30pm and 17.45pm for the clockwise section of the motoway. Norml traffic conditions are expected between 16.00pm and 16.15pm on the anticlockwise section of the road.

14:27Elizabeta Ranxburgaj

Pictured: The lorry involved in the crash

The HGV vehicle involved in the crash earlier today and jack-knifed on the major bridge.

The lorry involved in the Dartford Crossing collision (@YourSouthend)14:16Elizabeta Ranxburgaj

Dartford River Crossing to be closed for several hours, police confirm

Essex Police revealed the crossing will be closed for several hours today to fix damages caused by the collision. The force said: "Working with National Highways, we have closed the Dartford River Crossing following a collision just before the bridge between a car and lorry at about 11.05am on Thursday 3 July.

The road will remain closed for several hours due to damage to the road surface and barriers. "We remain at the scene with fire and ambulance colleagues. One person is reported to have minor injuries.

It is important drivers affected by this incident continue to drive safely and we ask drivers for their patience while we make sure the road is safe. "Drivers should check before they travel and plan their journeys accordingly. We will share further updates regarding the reopening of the road in due course."

14:09Elizabeta Ranxburgaj

Up to an hour long delays

Drivers could face huge delays of up to an hour southbound on the QEII, according to National Highways.

These massive waits are set to last for hours and possibly into the evening commute time.

13:59Elizabeta Ranxburgaj

Woman taken to hospital

A woman has been taken to Basildon University Hospital after the collision. She will be treated for a minor injury but it is not clear if she was driving one of the two vehicle involved in the crash. An ambulance rushed to the scene after the collision was reported and police and emergency services are still at the scene.

13:50Elizabeta Ranxburgaj

'Plan ahead' National Highways warns drivers

National Highways has released a statement following the collision at the Dartford Crossing.

It said: "The southbound QEII Bridge at Dartford Crossing is closed due to a collision involving a HGV on the QEII Bridge. All traffic travelling southbound/clockwise on the M25/A282 is being diverted through the east bore tunnel. "Northbound tunnel traffic is therefore 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. "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.

"Further information is available from National Highways by visiting our www.trafficengland.com website and travel apps, or via our regional X feed. Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 5000."

13:43Elizabeta Ranxburgaj

Pictured: Huge queues on the M25

Huge traffic jam on the M25 after a crash at Dartford Crossing (National Highways)13:39Elizabeta Ranxburgaj

Crash between a lorry and car

QEII bridge was brought to a standstill following a crash between a lorry and a car at around 11am. The lorrys, fuel tanks split during the incident and leaked across all lanes of the bridge, according to MyLondon[8].

It is not yet clear if any injuries have been reported following the shocking collision.

13:31Elizabeta Ranxburgaj

Traffic diverted following Dartford Crossing crash

A car crash, involving a HGV vechicle, on the QEII bridge at the Dartford Crossing has led to huge traffic and travel diruptions on the M25.

The road will be closed between J31 A1306 (Lakeside / Purfleet) to J1a A206 (Dartford) and traffic will be diverted through the east bore tunnel.

This means northbound traffic at the crossing will only have one lane of the tunnel to use.

References

1. ^ pic.twitter.com/NzPEFfJJro (t.co)
2. ^ July 3, 2025 (twitter.com)
3. ^ @HighwaysEAST (twitter.com)
4. ^ @YvetteCooperMP (twitter.com)
5. ^ pic.twitter.com/QIsiWIK0jA (t.co)
6. ^ July 3, 2025 (twitter.com)
7. ^ A282 (x.com)
8. ^ MyLondon (www.mylondon.news)