The final stages of roadworks to improve journeys at the Dartford Crossing will see both the tunnel and the bridge closed from tomorrow.

The maintenance work is part of the final stages of the roadworks which have been in place at the crossing since last November when free-flow payment system Dart Charge was introduced.

The remaining toll booths at the Dartford Crossing were removed in July and now motorists going northbound can pass straight into the tunnel without having to pause at the barrier.

Drivers travelling from Essex into Kent have been passing over the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge without having to stop at the booths for a few months.

Temporary speed limits as low as 20mph have also been replaced with a limit of 50mph.

Speaking last month, Dart Charge project director Nigel Gray, said: “We would like to thank drivers for their patience over the last few months since the introduction of Dart Charge.

“Journey times have already improved at the Crossing and now that the final booths have been removed we are nearing the end of the roadworks."

The east tunnel will be closed from 8.30pm until 5.30am on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. A diversion will be in place for oversized vehicles.

The west tunnel will close on Friday and Sunday between 8.30pm and 5.30am.

On the QEII Bridge, three out of the four lanes will be closed between 10pm and 5.30am, from Monday until Sunday. The closures will remain in place on Sunday only until 8am.

On Saturday, August 15, the whole bridge will be closed from 10pm until 5.30am with diversions in place via the A13, Blackwall Tunnel and the A2.

Work to install a new signage gantry will also see the clockwise carriageway of the M25 between junction 30, Thurrock, and junction 1a, Swanscombe, closed on Saturday, August 15, from 10pm until 5.30am. A diversion will be in place via the A13, Blackwall Tunnel and A2 to M25 junction 2.

Resurfacing at junction 31, Lakeside, will continue this week with the clockwise entry slip road closed from Monday for seven nights. Monday to Thursday the closure will be between 10pm and 5.30am, on Friday from 11pm until 6am, and on Saturday between 10pm and 8am. A diversion will be in place via junction 30.