Emergency repairs on the M25 are causing delays for drivers heading for Kent.

Highways England has confirmed two lanes are closed while crews repair a "road surface defect".

There are said to be 15 miles of queues with tailbacks stretching back beyond J28 and a travel time of an hour and 20 minutes.

But some drivers say they have been stuck for four hours.

Average speeds on the approach to J31 are 10mph.

Routes through Lakeside and Purfleet are also struggling as a result.

Meanwhile, roads bosses have hit back at criticism about the delays on social media, saying they had no choice but to carry out the work.

A Highways England tweet said: "Just to clarify this isn't a minor road defect.

"This is two defective expansion joints for the bridge.

"Failure to fix this could potentially be catastrophic and lead to loss of life in a worse case scenario.

"I assure you we are doing this from need not for fun."

The lane closures are expected to be lifted at 9.30pm.

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