Motorists are facing extensive queues of approximately 10 miles due to the closure of the Dartford Tunnel after a large lorry caused damage by being too tall for the tunnel.
The west tunnel will remain closed for the rest of the day, as confirmed by National Highways following the incident earlier today. The lorry, exceeding the permitted height, collided with the tunnel’s roof, necessitating emergency repairs. This has resulted in significant delays on the A2 in both directions and the M25 anti-clockwise.
Traffic congestion persists following the earlier tunnel closure, with reports indicating queues spanning around ten miles and warning motorists to anticipate delays of up to 90 minutes.
National Highways has updated the situation, indicating severe delays on the A2 in both directions due to the closure of the Dartford Crossing west tunnel. The closure was prompted by damage to tunnel equipment from an overheight lorry collision, leading to severe delays on the A2 and M25 anti-clockwise.
The planned closure of the eastbore tunnel at the A282 Dartford Crossing for the evening has been canceled due to the ongoing issues in the westbore tunnel, which is expected to remain closed into the night.
National Highways has reiterated that the left (west) Dartford Tunnel will stay closed for the remainder of the day, with no plans for reopening. The closure is a result of damage to tunnel equipment from an overheight lorry collision.
On the M25, severe delays exceeding 90 minutes are being experienced due to congestion anti-clockwise resulting from emergency tunnel repairs at the Dartford Tunnel heading into Essex. While the left-hand tunnel is closed, the right-hand tunnel remains open, causing traffic to back up for at least eight miles.
It has been reported that the Dartford Tunnel will be closed throughout the Friday rush hour, with extensive repairs required, leading to queues of over eight miles and confirmed 90-minute delays.
Extensive repairs are necessary at the scene of the crash where a lorry strike caused substantial damage, particularly dislodging a ventilation pipe in the tunnel’s roof. Repair work is ongoing, and the reopening time of the tunnel remains uncertain.
Drivers are currently facing 90-minute queues extending eight miles due to the ongoing repair work after a lorry crash. The left-hand tunnel at the Dartford Crossing has been closed, with no estimated time for the reopening.
The closure of one side of the tunnel is due to substantial damage caused by a lorry strike, requiring extensive repairs. National Highways emphasized the importance of the damaged equipment for safe tunnel operation, necessitating closure until repairs are completed.
The Dartford Tunnel is anticipated to remain closed for several hours as crews work on repairs following a lorry crash. National Highways has contractors on-site, but repairs are expected to take a significant amount of time.
Due to severe damage and the need for extensive repairs, drivers are advised to expect the Dartford Tunnel’s closure for an extended period. National Highways warns of a one-hour delay on approach as repair work continues.