bbc travel dartford crossing

M25 Dartford Crossing reopens after police block motorway and QE2 bridge over concerns for man's safety

Essex Police have now said the man is safe and being cared for by healthcare professionals

• Updated 17:07, 12 MAR 2024

The M25 has been reopened by police after the Dartford Crossing was blocked for hours while officers rushed to the QE2 bridge over concerns for the welfare of a man on Tuesday morning (March 12). Essex Police were called at around 6am to reports of concern for a man's welfare.

Traffic was held for four and a half hours while police worked, with a diversion route via the east-bore tunnel opened at around 8.15am. The crossing was reopened at 10.30am after drivers had been stuck in queues for up to three hours . Essex Police have now said the man is safe and being cared for by healthcare professionals.

Essex Police said in a statement: “Traffic was held while officers worked at the scene. The man is now safe and being cared for by healthcare professionals. We thank you for your patience this morning.”

After the bridge was reopened, National Highways said “severe” delays remained and were “expected to take some time to clear”.

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• Essex Police statement 12:30
• Lifeboat dispatched to scene 07:49
• Concerns for welfare of man on River Crossing 07:39

Essex Police statement

Essex Police have said: "The Dartford River Crossing is now open following an incident reported to us at 6am today (Tuesday 12 March).

"We were called to concerns for the welfare of a man on the crossing.

"Traffic was held while officers worked at the scene.

"The man is now safe and being cared for by healthcare professionals.

"The crossing was fully re-opened at 10.30am.

"We thank you for your patience this morning."

Delays back to A127 on M25 clockwise

Delays are still stretching back to Junction 29/A127 on the M25 clockwise this morning.

Traffic is also heavy at the junction with the A13, where delays of around 10 minutes are still being reported.

There are also minor delays remaining in the anti-clockwise direction.

Eastbore tunnel also open

The eastbore tunnel has also been reopened.

Both the bridge and tunnels are fully open again.

National Highways say: "A severe 2 hour delay remains on the #M25 clockwise and an hour and a half anti-clockwise and this is expected to take some time to clear. Thanks for your patience."

QE2 bridge has reopened

The QE2 bridge southbound has now reopened.

The east-bore tunnel is still being reopened on the northbound carriageway, National Highways has said.

Severe delays remain in both directions.

QE2 bridge being reopened

The QE2 Bridge is being reopened following a four hour closure this morning, National Highways has said.

They posted on X: "We are now in the process of re-opening the #A282 #QEIIBridge southbound at #DartfordCrossing.

"The contraflow in the eastbore tunnel has now been removed.

"We'll have you moving again as soon as we can. Thanks for your patience this morning."

We are now in the process of re-opening the #A282 #QEIIBridge southbound at #DartfordCrossing . The contraflow in the eastbore tunnel has now been removed. We'll have you moving again as soon as we can. Thanks for your patience this morning. pic.twitter.com/fOkdixo7yP — National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) March 12, 2024

National Highways expecting incident to conclude soon

National Highways has said they are expecting the incident to end shortly.

In an update on X, they said: "The #A282 #QEIIBridge at #DartfordCrossing remains closed southbound due to an ongoing Police led incident.

"There's still a 3 HOUR delay on the #M25 clockwise approaching the crossing.

"We're expecting the incident to conclude shortly."

The #A282 #QEIIBridge at #DartfordCrossing remains closed southbound due to an ongoing Police led incident. There's still a 3 HOUR delay on the #M25 clockwise approaching the crossing. We're expecting the incident to conclude shortly. pic.twitter.com/ydLasMdCcx — National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) March 12, 2024

Trapped traffic on bridge

According to Inrix, some trapped traffic remains on the QE2 bridge.

A diversion was set up at around 8.15am but some vehicles are ahead of the diversion route and remain stuck on the bridge.

Delays are easing on the M25 as the diversion route allows vehicles a way through the crossing.

National Highways update

National Highways has issued an update warning drivers of three hour delays this morning.

On X, they said: "The #A282 #QEIIBridge at #DartfordCrossing remains closed southbound due to an ongoing Police led incident.

"Traffic is being diverted via the eastbore tunnel. There's now a 3 HOUR delay on the #M25 clockwise approaching the crossing.

"Please avoid travelling to the area."

The #A282 #QEIIBridge at #DartfordCrossing remains closed southbound due to an ongoing Police led incident. Traffic is being diverted via the eastbore tunnel. There's now a 3 HOUR delay on the #M25 clockwise approaching the crossing. Please avoid travelling to the area. pic.twitter.com/eFOZP5iJc4 — National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) March 12, 2024

What we know so far

The QE2 Dartford Crossing has been closed following concerns for the welfare of a man.

Essex Police rushed to the scene, where they have blocked off the connecting road between Essex, Kent and London.

A lifeboat from the RNLI is also in attendance in the river Thames.

All southbound/clockwise traffic is being diverted through the eastbore of the Dartford Tunnel.

There is currently a three hour delay on the M25 clockwise this morning.

There are also delays of an hour on the anti-clockwise motorway while one of the northbound tunnels is used as a diversion.

Drivers sat in queues

One driver has got in touch with MyLondon to say they had been sat on the M25 for 40 minutes with no movements.

They said they were stuck at Junction 29.

According to the AA, there are delays of 200 minutes on the busy motorway this morning - this is more than 3 hour delays.

Where is the incident taking place?

The ongoing incident is happening on the QE2 bridge on the M25, which connects Essex and Kent over the river Thames.

The crossing is often very busy during rush hour, as many people commute between the two counties as well as travel into London.

There is heavy traffic in both directions on the M25 this morning, as southbound traffic is being diverted via the eastbore tunnel.

Severe delays in both directions

There is currently a two-hour delay on the M25 clockwise this morning approaching the crossing.

Traffic is queueing back to Junction 29 A127 Romford, as well as on the A13 back to Wennington and Orsett, as well as through Thurrock and Grays.

There are also delays of up to an hour in the opposite direction as traffic can only travel through one of the two Dartford tunnels.

Lifeboat dispatched to scene

The Gravesend RNLI was dispatched to the Dartford Bridge area this morning, a spokesperson for the charity has said.

Gravesend RNLI was requested to launch by HM Coastguard at 6.15am this morning to assist Essex Police in the Dartford Bridge area.

The lifeboat currently remains on scene, the spokesperson has said.

Concerns for welfare of man on River Crossing

Essex Police have now confirmed they are attending an incident over concerns for the welfare of a man on the Dartford Crossing.

They said: "We’re currently dealing with concerns for the welfare of a man on the Dartford River Crossing.

"The incident was reported to us shortly after 6am this AM. Traffic is being held on the crossing as we work to bring the situation to a safe conclusion.

"We of course understand this action will impact on people's journeys and we will provide an update on the situation as soon as we practically can.

"We would urge patience as we work to resolve the incident."

1/ We’re currently dealing with concerns for the welfare of a man on the Dartford River Crossing. The incident was reported to us shortly after 6am this AM. Traffic is being held on the crossing as we work to bring the situation to a safe conclusion. pic.twitter.com/IbZyYUmwHd — Essex Police (@EssexPoliceUK) March 12, 2024

Get in touch

Are you stuck in traffic on the Dartford Crossing this morning?

Do you have any photos, videos or information about what's happening?

Get in touch by emailing [email protected] .

Delays more than two hours

There are currently more than two hour delays on the M25 southbound into London this morning, according to the AA's live traffic map.

People have posted on X to say they've been sat in their cars for more than an hour.

@geoff_walker123 wrote: "What is going on with the #DartfordCrossing ? People on road? Sat here for an hour"

What is going on with the #DartfordCrossing ? People on road? Sat here for an hour — ⚒ geoff walker ⚒ (@geoff_walker123) March 12, 2024

Diversion through eastbore tunnel

A diversion has been put in place through the eastbore tunnel northbound to enable drivers to travel onwards this morning.

National Highways says: "All southbound/clockwise traffic is being diverted through the eastbore of the Dartford Tunnel

"There is a height limit of 15ft 9in for traffic using the Dartford Tunnel northbound, which is continuing to use the westbore of the Dartford Tunnel. Northbound traffic under this height is unaffected."

Incident likely to continue 'for some time'

The incident is likely to continue for some time, National Highways has warned.

On X, they posted: "Traffic has been STOPPED on the #A282 #DartfordCrossing southbound in #Essex due to a Police led incident.

"Long delays are already building on approach.

"More information to follow shortly."

They added: "Traffic remains HELD on the #A282 #DartfordCrossing southbound in #Essex due to an ongoing Police led incident.

"This incident is likely to be ongoing for some time.

"Please consider alternative routes if you can."

Traffic remains HELD on the #A282 #DartfordCrossing southbound in #Essex due to an ongoing Police led incident. This incident is likely to be ongoing for some time. Please consider alternative routes if you can. pic.twitter.com/kOFVweg40V — National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) March 12, 2024

Good morning and welcome to this live blog, where we'll be bringing you all the latest traffic updates from the M25.

The Dartford Crossing QE2 bridge southbound has been blocked due to 'people in the road', according to Inrix.

There are severe delays this morning of more than an hour, and they continues to increase as we move into rush hour.

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Current traffic around Dartford Crossing

The following traffic incidents and congestion for Dartford Crossing have been reported by Highways England, Traffic Scotland, Traffic Wales or Transport for London (TfL) in the last two hours:

Traffic in Nearby Villages

• Greenhithe (1.15mi)
• West Thurrock (1.19mi)
• Purfleet (1.2mi)
• Temple Hill (1.47mi)
• Stone (1.53mi)
• South Stifford (1.63mi)
• Lakeside (1.73mi)
• Knockhall (2.02mi)
• Swanscombe (2.02mi)
• Chafford Hundred (2.06mi)
• Darent (2.15mi)
• Fleet Downs (2.21mi)
• Aveley (2.26mi)
• New Town (2.34mi)
• Grays (2.59mi)
• Wennington (2.83mi)
• Bean (2.86mi)
• South Ockendon (2.91mi)
• North Stifford (2.94mi)
• Slade Green (3.03mi)
• Stonewood (3.07mi)
• Barnes Cray (3.15mi)
• Coldharbour (3.16mi)
• Lane End (3.43mi)

Dartford Crossing

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A282 QEII Bridge Dartford Crossing

Traffic delays for the A282 Dartford Crossing in Southern England. Latest live travel news from UK Traffic Delays. Avoid A282 QEII Bridge roadworks and M25 congestion in Essex and Kent.

QEII Bridge Latest Travel News

Live a282 congestion reports, latest a282 accident updates, northbound a282 roadworks and delays, a282 northbound dartford crossing | anti-clockwise | road works | thurrock, southbound a282 roadworks and delays, a282 road traffic flow map.

According to National Highways, the A282 Dartford Crossing was initially designed to carry 135,000 vehicles daily. However, more than 180,000 vehicles now use the crossing every day.

Alternative routes to A282 Dartford Crossing

If you want to avoid the A282 Dartford Crossing, there are several alternative routes that you can take to cross the River Thames east of London. Some of these routes include:

• The Woolwich Ferry : The Woolwich Ferry is a free service between Woolwich and North Woolwich. This route is located west of Dartford and can be a good alternative if you’re travelling between southeast and northeast London.
• The Blackwall Tunnel : The Blackwall Tunnel is another alternative route that you can take to cross the River Thames east of London. This tunnel is located west of Dartford and connects the A102 on the Greenwich Peninsula with the A12 in Poplar.
• The M25 : If the Dartford Crossing is closed, vehicles over 5.03 metres (16.5 ft) are diverted around the M25 in the opposite direction.

Traffic delay information supplied by UK Traffic Delays. The latest A282 QEII Bridge traffic reports, roadworks and travel news for South East England. Our live M25 Dartford Crossing travel news is as up-to-date as possible but please always check with local radio news sources and always allow plenty of time for your journey.

UK Traffic Delays is a reliable source of updated UK travel information. National Highways data obtained under open licence. London travel information is used under license from TfL: Powered by TfL Open Data .

Our website contains public sector travel information licensed under the: Open Government Licence v3.0 .

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M25, Dartford Crossing and A12 road closures in Essex this weekend

Several motorway closures will impact Essex traffic this weekend, according to National Highways England.

These will mainly be along the A12 in the early hours of the morning, with a few on the Dartford Crossing and the M25.

If you are set to be travelling along these roads, it's best to take note of different diversions in place.

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Here’s a list of all of the closures from Friday, May 3 to Sunday, May 5.

M25, Dartford Crossing and A12 closures for Friday, May 3

On the A12 Northbound way, a carriageway will be closed between Junction 12 and 15 for reconstruction works from 9pm to 5am.

Meanwhile, on the Southbound way, there will be an entry slip road closure at Junction 26 between 6am and 8pm for reconstruction/renewal works.

Alongside those, there will be regular Northbound way closures including the exit slip road closures at Junction 14 and 15 between 5am and 11pm and a 24-hour entry slip road closure at Junction 19 for New Beaulieu Station construction.

Dartford Crossing

There are no closures listed for the Dartford Crossing on this day.

On the M25 clockwise way, a carriageway will be closed between Junction 27 and 28 for urgent loop repairs from 11pm to 6am.

M25, Dartford Crossing and A12 closures for Saturday, May 4

On the A12 Southbound way, there will be an entry slip road closure at Junction 26 from 6am to 8pm.

The West tunnel on the Northbound way of the Dartford Crossing will be closed from 10pm to 5am for maintenance works.

On the M25 anti-clockwise way, there will be link road closures from Junction 27 and Junction 26 to Junction 6 on the M11 Southbound.

Recommended reading:

• Distressed driver 'hit with 150 Dart Charge fines' despite using 'pay-as-you-go'
• Council pays out £219k to Essex drivers after cars are left mangled by potholes
• Government to review headlight glare amid dazzled concerns

M25, Dartford Crossing and A12 closures for Sunday, May 5

The East tunnel on the Northbound way of the Dartford Crossing will be closed from 10pm to 5am for maintenance works.

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