Major Overnight Closures Hit Dartford Crossing This Week
Motorists heading north from Dartford to Thurrock beware! The busy Dartford Crossing’s west tunnel (A282 northbound) will shut each night this week for serious maintenance and resurfacing work.
Nightly Closures Bring Traffic Chaos
The west tunnel will be closed from 9pm to 5am, starting Monday 19 May through to early Friday 23 May 2025. This essential work will cause significant disruption for northbound drivers crossing the River Thames.
Full Closure Schedule
- Mon 19 – Tue 20 May: West Tunnel closed 9pm–5am, diversion via National Highways network.
- Tue 20 – Wed 21 May: West Tunnel closed 9pm–5am, diversion in place.
- Wed 21 – Thu 22 May: West Tunnel closed 9pm–5am, diversion continues.
- Thu 22 – Fri 23 May: Final night of West Tunnel closure 9pm–5am, diversions remain.
Plan Ahead – Avoid Delay
National Highways warns drivers to allow extra travel time and follow the diversion signs carefully. They also advise checking for any weather-related changes to the schedule.
Good news for southbound drivers: the east tunnel will remain open and unaffected, though delays could still happen on connecting roads.
Why the Works?
The overnight closures form part of ongoing upgrades designed to keep the crossing safe and running smoothly. With heavy daily traffic, these maintenance projects are vital.
Drivers are urged to plan their journeys now to avoid getting stuck in the night-time traffic jams this week.
