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Delays on M25 at Dartford Tunnel after vehicle breaks down

16:54, 16 August 2021

updated: 18:51, 16 August 2021

Drivers have been enduring long delays on the M25 at the Dartford crossing today after a series of breakdowns in the tunnel.

Two lanes were closed and there is queueing traffic due to four separate broken down vehicles.

Queuing traffic waiting to go through the Dartford Tunnel. Picture: Highways England
Queuing traffic waiting to go through the Dartford Tunnel. Picture: Highways England

The right-hand tunnel was closed at 4.40pm and re-opened 10 minutes later.

This came after the left-hand tunnel had been re-opened at 4.30pm after being shut due to a separate breakdown.

"There's long delays of 45+ mins above normal journey times on the #M25 anti-clockwise from J2 to #A282 #DartfordTunnels," said Highways England on social media.

"This is due to two breakdowns (one in each tunnel).

"The left tunnel breakdown has been cleared and we're just removing the other one from the right tunnel."

Shortly afterwards, Highways England added: "The second breakdown in the right #DartfordTunnel has been cleared and both tunnels are now open.

"However there remains very long delays of 45-60 minutes on the anti-clockwise #M25 from J2 to the crossing. Please allow extra time for your journey if heading that way."

There was then another breakdown in the left-hand tunnel and a fourth of the afternoon soon after, which caused the right-hand tunnel to be closed from 5.15pm until 5.35pm.

There is also congestion at junction 3 for the Swanley Interchange, as well as the A2 west-bound at junction 2 for the Darenth Interchange and the A206 Bob Dunn Way east-bound, joining at J1A by the tunnels.

All lanes have re-opened but long delays remain.

Avoid getting stuck on Kent's roads by keeping up-to-date on all of the latest traffic and travel news here or by following our live blog.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford

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