One whole tunnel of the Dartford Crossing has been shut
Due to an emergency resurfacing project, the M25 in Kent has been temporarily closed as of Friday night due to a lorry fire. The entire clockwise side of the highway has been closed between Junction 5 for the M26 and A21 towards Sevenoaks and Junction 6 for the A22 to Godstone. The fire erupted just after 10 p.m. last night.
Due to the collision, the anticlockwise side was also closed before Junction 6 and now has just two lanes. To prevent any traffic from entering the M25 at the scene, the M26 has been closed from the M25 up to Junction 2A. According to traffic researcher Inrix, the restrictions are anticipated to last until at least lunchtime as the road is resurfaced.
Before Junction 6, traffic is backed up for a mile on the anticlockwise side and heading towards Junction 4 for Orpington. There is a detour in place that leads to Godstone via the A25. It has been instructed for drivers to obey hollow triangle signs.
Just before five this morning, a maintenance vehicle spilled hydraulic fluid onto the asphalt, prompting the closure of the taller righthand Dartford Tunnel as well. This also implies that urgent resurfacing is required. While resurfacing is being done, there is a detour via the left tunnel; nevertheless, because of the closure, there is extremely heavy traffic.
There are queues on the anticlockwise side from Junction 1A to Dartford on the A206 all the way to Junction 31 for Lakeside and Purfleet on the A1306. There is also congestion back to Junction 3 on the M20 Swanley Interchange adding 20 to 30 minutes travel time.
There are also queues on the A2 towards the M2 at Strood.
