Work has started on a multi-million pound project to give one of Britain's busiest bridges a fresh lick of paint.

Specialist crews are working through the night to overcoat exposed areas of the Queen Elizabeth II bridge, also known as the Dartford Crossing.

More than 180,000 people regularly use the route each day, making it one of the busiest bridges in the country.

The last time the structural steelwork was fully painted was during construction 31 years ago. And it's been 14 years since the corrosion protection coating was last topped up.

However, essential repainting works and maintenance is now under way.

The current programme is expected to run for the next six to seven years – subject to multiple factors.

It is estimated it will cost more than £10 million over that period.

Works have been contracted out by Connect Plus, which works on behalf of the government-owned National Highways to manage and operate the M25.

A team of engineers from Jackson Civil has been working overnight during the first phase to paint and add a protective layer to the bridge.

It works from maintenance gantries beneath the bridge.

The first phase is due to be completed by the end of this month but has hit snags along the way due to the weather.

Further to this year’s works, the wider project team is looking at improving access to these areas of the structure and developing working methods for future works.

Ryan Smith, framework manager at Jackson Civil, said: "It’s exciting and rewarding working collaboratively with Connect Plus and within the integrated team of M25 Community members, formed to deliver this multi-year strategy of works on one of the most iconic structures in the south east."

Current plans are to paint – or patch paint – elements of the whole bridge, above and below. Some lanes will need to close while works are carried out.

National Highways says intervention now and over the coming years is needed to keep the current coat in a serviceable condition and prevent the need for a full repaint.

The A282 Dartford Crossing is currently the only way to cross the Thames east of London by road.

Despite one of the largest traffic teams in the country working around the clock to keep it moving, the huge demand on the Crossing makes it one of the most unreliable sections of road in Britain.

Each year there are more than 3,000 incidents reported with frequents reports of gridlock traffic.

Data shows that Fridays at the Crossing see sustained high volumes of traffic and congestion, from mid-morning well into the evening.

On a typical day the levels of traffic mean 95% of Essex-bound journeys in the evening peak are delayed and almost two out of three journeys between 4pm and 5pm take twice as long as they should.

Controversial plans from National Highways to build a new 14-mile link road from Kent to Essex by 2030, known as the Lower Thames Crossing, remain on the table. It would cost between £6.8bn to £8.2bn.

But campaigners and local councillors fear this will "will not be the answer to all our prayers".

In addition to the cable-stayed bridge the Dartford Crossing also consists of two bored tunnels.

National Highways says it will also be carrying out some inspections, CCTV work and routine maintenance in the west tunnel over the next few weeks.

The east tunnel will be close overnight from 10pm today (Sunday) until 5am on Monday.

A diversion for vehicles that are 4.8m in height or below will be in place via the west tunnel. There will also be diversion in place for vehicles that exceed 4.8m in height via the M25 clockwise.

The west tunnel will be closed overnight between 10pm and 5am from tomorrow (Monday) for six consecutive nights with the exception of Friday, October 14 when work will take place between 11pm and 5.30am.

A diversion will be in place via the east tunnel.

The east tunnel will be closed overnight from 10pm on Sunday, October 16 until 5am on Monday, October 17. For more information click here.

A diversion for vehicles that are 4.8m in height or below will be in place via the west tunnel. There will also be diversion in place for vehicles that exceed 4.8m in height via the M25 clockwise.