Dartford Crossing Set for Multiple Night Closures This Week
Road users, brace yourselves! The Dartford Crossing faces a series of overnight shutdowns this week, including a full closure of the QEII Bridge on Saturday night. These essential maintenance works aim to boost safety and improve traffic flow on one of the UK’s busiest routes.
Full Schedule of Disruptions
- Mon 29 July – Tue 30 July: West tunnel closed from 10pm to 5:30am. Traffic diverted via National Highways network.
- Thu 1 August – Fri 2 August: West tunnel shuts again, same hours, for carriageway and slip road repairs.
- Fri 2 August – Sat 3 August: Continued closures of the west tunnel overnight for further tunnel works.
- Sat 3 August – Sun 4 August: QEII Bridge fully closed between 10pm and 5am. East tunnel closes early at 9:30pm for contraflow setup, with traffic rerouted accordingly.
- Sun 4 August – Mon 5 August: East tunnel closed overnight from 10pm to 5am for maintenance. Diversions in place via National Highways.
Why the Closures Matter
Formerly known as the Dartford Tunnel until 1991, the crossing is a vital link between Dartford in Kent and Thurrock in Essex, carrying huge volumes of commuter and freight traffic across the River Thames. The scheduled closures are critical for ongoing safety upgrades and infrastructure improvements.
Plan Ahead to Avoid Delays
Drivers should plan journeys carefully and keep an eye on local traffic updates and Highways England advisories. Bad weather could further disrupt schedules, so staying informed is key to dodging gridlock.
Don’t get caught out—allow extra time or consider alternative routes during these closures.
