Chaos at Dartford Crossing: Both Tunnels Shut After Major M25 Crash
Big trouble on the M25 tonight as Highways England shut both tunnels at the Dartford Crossing following a serious multi-vehicle smash between junctions 31 and 30.
Emergency services rushed in, including five fire engines from Essex County Fire and Rescue and paramedics, tackling the wreckage on the scene. It’s a mess out there with delays stretching 8 to 10 miles and the queues expected to last up to two hours. Roads around the crossing have ground to a halt.
Traffic Nightmare: Essex Police Lead Investigation
Kent Police confirmed the crash is being handled by Essex Police. Meanwhile, drivers are stuck in gridlock with surrounding routes crawling or at a standstill. The high volume of traffic forced authorities to hold vehicles intermittently in the tunnels to ease pressure.
Updates: Lanes Reopened but Delays Persist
By 9:55pm, all lanes reopened on the M25 anticlockwise between junction 31 and 30, just north of the Dartford River Crossing (A282). However, congestion still extends back past junction 2 of the M25 on the A282 northbound.
Further chaos was caused when a broken-down vehicle on the Kent side triggered occasional traffic holds, with Highways England working to clear it.
Drivers are urged to avoid the area if possible and expect lengthy delays tonight.
