Drivers were warned to avoid the Dartford Crossing "at all costs" due to four-mile tailbacks.

The recovery of a broken down horsebox brought about the closure of the west tunnel earlier this afternoon, and queues continued to worsen.

There were four-mile queues on the anti-clockwise stretch reaching back to Junction 3, the Swanley Interchange.

Travel times were estimated to be about 45 minutes for those trying to get through the tunnel.

The west tunnel reopened before 2pm after the horsebox was removed, but delays remained.

One Twitter user warned others to avoid the Dartford Crossing "at all costs", while another said they had been stuck in a traffic jam for more than 45 minutes.

The congestion later cleared.

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Read more: All the latest news from Dartford