Dartford Crossing expected to reopen tonight after spillage
A river tunnel that has been shut for most of the day because of a significant spill is anticipated to reopen around 6:00 PM BST.
Drivers heading north at the Dartford Crossing have experienced delays exceeding an hour due to a significant spill from a maintenance vehicle.
National Highways shared an update on X around 6:30 AM BST, announcing that the Dartford east tunnel would be closed for the entire day.
It was noted that approximately 400 meters of the roadway required new surfacing.
A significant amount of hydraulic fluid spilled inside the tunnel while maintenance work was being done overnight.
The northbound lane passes through two tunnels, each measuring 0.8 miles (1.4 kilometers) long, with one of them still open.
National Highways reported that as many as 180,000 vehicles travel through the crossing daily in both directions.
Detours have been established on the M25 and M26 in Kent following a lorry fire.
According to National Highways, a firefighting team was present at the location for ten hours, during which they caused some damage to the road surface and the central reservation barrier.
The M25 was shut down in a clockwise direction between junction five, close to Sevenoaks, and junction six, near Godstone/Caterham, with detours established for drivers.
Traffic heading west on the M26 between junction 2A close to Wrotham Heath and the M25/A21 has been redirected.
Robert Bell, who oversees network operations for National Highways in the South East, emphasized that reopening the roads is their top concern.
"The difficulty of the situation and the significant destruction from these events will likely affect tonight's rush hour," he stated.
The M25 and Dartford Crossing are essential components of the main road system, and we recognize how frustrating and disruptive any closures can be.
"We are grateful for everyone’s patience and support as we carry out these important repairs."
National Highways has urged drivers to plan for additional time when traveling.
