Dartford – Thurrock maintenance
The Dartford Crossing, also known as the A282, connects directly at both ends with the M25 London Orbital Motorway, one of the busiest motorways in Europe. Carrying over 50 million vehicles a year, the Dartford Crossing is designed to handle 135,000 vehicles a day, but the average is now 150,000 a day – with the busiest days seeing up to 180,000 vehicles using it. We’re carrying out an extensive programme of repairs and maintenance work over the next several years to keep journeys safe and reliable for road users. To keep disruption to a minimum, we carry out our work overnight, typically between the hours of 10pm and 6am.
The Dartford Crossing carries more than 180,000 vehicles every day.
Our maintenance work on the QEII bridge
We use special jet-washers to clear the gullies on the QEII bridge so rainwater can drain away quickly
Cleaning up litter on the QEII bridge
Latest updates
-
11 July 2025
Closures this week
QEII Bridge
We'll close the QEII bridge for routine safety inspections and maintenance between:
- 10pm on Saturday 12 July and 5am on Sunday 13 July.
A contraflow diversion via the Dartford east tunnel will operate from 9:30pm to maintain southbound travel.
A height restriction will be in place in the northbound direction for vehicles over 4.8m (15’-9”).
Dartford tunnels
There will be overnight Dartford east tunnel closures on the week commencing Monday 14 July. A height restriction will apply to vehicles over 4.8m (15’-9”)
We regularly close the tunnels overnight on weekends for weekly safety inspections.
Please check the full upcoming closures information below.
Upcoming closures
Friday 11 July
- Dartford west tunnel, (11pm to 6am)
Saturday 12 July
- QEII bridge closure (10pm to 5am)
Sunday 13 July
- Dartford east tunnel, (10pm to 5am)
- (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Monday 14 July to Thursday 17 July
- Dartford east tunnel, (10pm to 5:30am)
- (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Friday 18 July
- Dartford east tunnel, (11pm to 6am)
- (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
View important information for drivers of goods vehicles and high-sided vehicles.
M25 junction 2 to A282 junction 1 (northbound)
The M25 will be closed northbound from junction 2 to A282 junction 1a on the week commencing Monday 14 July, for cyclical maintenance work including litter clearance.
Traffic will be diverted via:
- A2 eastbound to Bean
- B255 northbound
- A206 Crossways Boulevard westbound
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
-
04 July 2025
Forthcoming overnight closures
We'll close the QEII bridge for routine safety inspections and maintenance between 10pm on Saturday 12 July and 5am on Sunday 13 July.
A contraflow diversion via the Dartford east tunnel will operate from 9:30pm to maintain southbound travel.
A height restriction will be in place in the northbound direction for vehicles over 4.8m (15’-9”).
Dartford tunnels
There will be overnight Dartford west tunnel closures on the week commencing Monday 7 July.
There will be overnight Dartford east tunnel closures on the week commencing Monday 14 July. A height restriction will apply to vehicles over 4.8m (15’-9”)
We regularly close the tunnels overnight on weekends for weekly safety inspections.
Please check the full closure information below:
- A282 junction 1a to M25 junction 2 (southbound)
- A282 will be closed southbound from junction 1a to M25 junction 2 on the week commencing Monday 14 July, for cyclical maintenance work including litter clearance.
Traffic will be diverted via:
- A206 Crossways Boulevard eastbound
- B255 southbound
- A2 westbound to M25 junction 2
Upcoming closures
- Friday 4 July: Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am
- Saturday 5 July: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 6 July: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Monday 7 July to Thursday 10 July: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5:30am
- Friday 11 July: Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am
- Saturday 12 July: QEII bridge closure 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 13 July: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Monday 14 July to Thursday 17 July: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5:30am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Friday 18 July: Dartford east tunnel, 11pm to 6am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
View important information for drivers of goods vehicles and high-sided vehicles.
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
-
23 June 2025
Remaining east tunnel closures
We’re approaching the end of our current programme of east tunnel closures and will soon be shifting our focus back to maintenance work in the west tunnel, from Monday 30 June.
Until then, please remember that a height restriction will apply to vehicles between 4.8m (15’-9”) and 5.0m (16’-6”) high, while the east tunnel is closed overnight.
Upcoming closures
The following closures are scheduled to take place:
- Monday 23 June to Thursday 26 June: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5:30am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Friday 27 June: Dartford east tunnel, 11pm to 6am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Saturday 28 June: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 29 June: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Monday 30 June to Thursday 3 July Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5:30am
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
-
06 June 2025
Upcoming closure information
Our next full overnight closure of the QEII bridge, for routine safety inspections and maintenance, is scheduled to take place this weekend between 10pm on Saturday 7 June and 5am on Sunday 8 June 2025.
A contraflow diversion route will be installed through the Dartford east tunnel from 9:30pm on the Saturday night to maintain travel in the southbound direction.
The Dartford west tunnel will remain open overnight for travel in the northbound direction. Please note a height restriction will apply in the northbound direction to vehicles between 4.8m (15’-9”) and 5.0m (16’-6”) high. View important information for drivers of goods vehicles and high-sided vehicles.
Junction 1a – 2 lane closures and slip-road closures
We'll close the entry slip road at Junction 1a (southbound) and three of four lanes on the A282 overnight for re-waterproofing on the following weekend:
- 8pm Saturday 14 June – Sunday 15 June 10am
Diversion
You'll be diverted by:
- A206 Crossways Boulevard eastbound
- B255 southbound
- A2 westbound rejoining the M25 at Junction 2
Drivers on the A282/M25 southbound will continue to use the single available lane.
Upcoming closures
Friday 6 June
Dartford east tunnel, 11pm to 6am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m).
Saturday 7 June
QEII bridge closure, 10pm to 5am.
Sunday 8 June
Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m).
Monday 9 June and Thursday 12 June
Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5:30am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Sunday 15 June
Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
Monday 16 June and Thursday 19 June
Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5:30am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Friday 20 June
Dartford east tunnel, 11pm to 6am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Saturday 21 June
Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
Sunday 22 June
Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
-
27 May 2025
Dartford east tunnel closures
We'll now be performing scheduled maintenance in the east tunnel.
Junction 1a – 2 lane closures and slip-road closures for re-waterproofing
We'll close the entry slip road at Junction 1a (southbound) and three of four lanes on the A282 overnight on these weekends:
- 8pm Saturday 31 May - 10am Sunday 1 June
- 8pm Saturday 14 June – Sunday 15 June 10am
Diversion
You'll be diverted by:
- A206 Crossways Boulevard eastbound
- B255 southbound
- A2 westbound rejoining the M25 at Junction 2
Drivers on the A282/M25 southbound will continue to use the single available lane.
Upcoming closures
Tuesday 27 May to Thursday 29 May
Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5.30am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m).
Friday 30 May
Dartford east tunnel, 9pm to 6am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m).
Saturday 31 May
Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am.
Sunday 1 June
Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
Monday 2 June and Tuesday 3 June
Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5:30am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m).
Friday 6 June
Dartford east tunnel, 11pm to 6am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m).
Saturday 7 June
QEII bridge closure, 10pm to 5am.
Sunday 8 June
Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m).
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
-
02 May 2025
Dartford west tunnel closures
As part of our ongoing commitment to maintain a safe and efficient network, routine maintenance work is due to recommence in the Dartford west tunnel.
These essential works are critical to ensuring the continued safety, reliability, and performance of the tunnels for all road users.
To do the works safely and effectively, there will be extended closure times on specific dates. These temporary changes are necessary to provide our maintenance teams with sufficient time to complete tasks that cannot be done safely while the tunnels are open to traffic.
Junction 1a – 2 lane closures and slip-road closures
The entry slip road at Junction 1a (southbound) and three of the four lanes on the A282 will be closed overnight for re-waterproofing on the following weekends:
- 8pm Saturday 10 May – 10 am Sunday 11 May
- 8pm Saturday 31 May - 10am Sunday 1 June
- 8pm Saturday 14 June – Sunday 15 June 10am
Drivers will be diverted via:
- A206 Crossways Boulevard eastbound
- B255 southbound
- A2 westbound rejoining the M25 at Junction 2
Existing traffic on the A282/M25 southbound will continue to travel using the single available lane.
Upcoming closures
- Friday 2 May: Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 5.30am
- Saturday 3 May: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 4 May: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 6am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Thursday 8 May: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5.30am
- Friday 9 May: Dartford west tunnel, 9pm to 6am
- Saturday 10 May: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 11 May: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 6am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Monday 12 May to Thursday 15 May: Dartford west tunnel, 9pm to 5am
- Friday 16 May: Dartford west tunnel, 9pm to 6am
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
-
22 April 2025
Dartford east tunnel closures
We're inspecting the ventilation systems in the Dartford east tunnel. To work safely, we'll close the tunnel overnight.
The Dartford west tunnel will remain open overnight for traffic.
A height restriction will apply to vehicles between 4.8m (15’-9”) and 5.0m (16’-6”) high.
Important information for drivers of goods vehicles and high-sided vehicles.
26 April to 27 April - QEII bridge closure for safety inspections and maintenance
Our next full overnight closure of the QEII bridge will be from 10pm Saturday 26 April to 5am Sunday 27 April.
We'll install a contraflow diversion route for soutbound traffic through the Dartford east tunnel from 9:30pm Saturday 26 April.
Upcoming closures
Tuesday 22 April and Thursday 24 April
Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m).
Saturday 26 April
QEII Bridge closure, 10pm to 5am.
Sunday 27 April
Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m).
Monday 28 April to Thursday 1 May
Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m).
Friday 2 May
Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am.
Saturday 3 May
Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am.
Sunday 4 May
Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 6am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m).
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
-
11 April 2025
Upcoming QEII Bridge maintenance
With spring upon us, we’ll soon be resuming our painting work on the QEII Bridge to protect some of its metal components from corrosion.
The painting will take place between April and October, and we’ll be able to do most of it without disrupting traffic. We set up a temporary walkway access for our workers on the offside of the bridge in 2024. This will remain in place over the coming years to provide access to most areas that need painting.
Sometimes, to safely access some of the other areas requiring painting, we’ll need to install overnight lane closures across the bridge between 10pm and 5.30am. One lane will remain open across the bridge for traffic when we need to do this.
Our next full overnight closure of the QEII Bridge, for routine safety inspections and maintenance, is scheduled between 10pm on Saturday 26 April and 5am on Sunday 27 April 2025.
Upcoming closures
- Friday 11 April: Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am
- Saturday 12 April: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 13 April: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Monday 14 April to Thursday 17 April: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Tuesday 22 April and Thursday 24 April: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Saturday 26 April: QEII Bridge closure, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 27 April: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
-
28 March 2025
Upcoming closures - 28 March to 13 April 2025
Latest project activity:
Saturday 29 March
Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
Sunday 30 March
Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Wednesday 2 April and Thursday 3 April
Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
Friday 4 April
Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am
Saturday 5 April
Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
Sunday 6 April
Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Monday 7 April to Thursday 10 April
Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
Friday 11 April
Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am
Saturday 12 April
Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
Sunday 13 April
Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
-
21 March 2025
Dartford east tunnel closures
There will be overnight closures of the Dartford east tunnel next week for essential maintenance to the ceiling fans which help ventilate the tunnel.
The adjacent Dartford west tunnel will remain open overnight for vehicles less than 4.8m (15’-9”) high.
Vehicles between 4.8m (15’-9”) and 5.0m (16’-6”) high will be diverted via the M25 clockwise. Important information for drivers of goods vehicles and high-sided vehicles is available: goods vehicles using the Dartford Tunnels
Due to additional M25 clockwise closures on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 March, we will delay closing the east tunnel until 11pm on these dates. This gives high-sided vehicles extra time to use the northbound crossing before closing the tunnel and diversions in place.
The Dartford east tunnel will also be closed overnight between 10pm and 5am on Sunday 30 March, as usual, for weekly tunnel safety inspections and routine maintenance.
Upcoming closures, Friday 21 March to Sunday 6 April 2025
- Monday 24 March: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 6am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Tuesday 25 March & Wednesday 26 March: Dartford east tunnel, 11pm to 6am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Saturday 29 March: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 30 March: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
-
07 March 2025
Essential carriageway repairs, Tuesday 11 March
We’ll carry out essential repairs to the A282/M25 southbound carriageway between junction 1a (Dartford crossing) and junction 2 (Darenth interchange). To do this safely, we'll need a full carriageway closure from 10pm Tuesday 11 March to 5.30am Wednesday 12 March.
A diversion will be in place via A282 junction 1a, the A206 Crossways Boulevard eastbound, the B255 southbound and the A2 westbound, re-joining the M25 at junction 2.
Road users wishing to join the A282/M25 at junction 1a northbound will need to follow the same diversion to travel through the Dartford east tunnel.
Upcoming closures
Friday 7 March to Sunday 23 March 2025
- Monday 10 to Friday 14 March: Dartford west tunnel, 9pm to 6am
- Saturday 15 March: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 16 March: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Monday 17 to Friday 21 March: Dartford west tunnel, 9pm to 6am
- Saturday 22 March: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 23 March: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
-
21 February 2025
Tunnel timings
We will close the east tunnel for two nights next week for essential works. A full closure will be in place from 11pm to 5.30am on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 February.
The west tunnel will remain open overnight for travel in the northbound direction. Please note a height restriction will apply in the northbound direction to vehicles between 4.8m (15’-9”) and 5.0m (16’-6”) high.
Upcoming closures:
Friday 21 February to Sunday 9 March 2025
- Friday 21 February: Dartford west tunnel, 9pm to 6am
- Saturday 22 February: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 23 February: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 February: Dartford east tunnel, 11pm to 5.30am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Saturday 1 March: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 2 March: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Monday 3 to Friday 7 March: Dartford west tunnel, 9pm to 6am
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
-
14 February 2025
Steelwork inspections and repair work - February 2025
Steelwork inspections and repairs will continue in the west tunnel during weeknights, 9pm to 6am.
As usual, the east tunnel will remain open overnight to maintain northbound travel while we are working in the west tunnel.
Our weekly tunnel safety inspections continue on weekends, 10pm to 5am.
Upcoming closures
Saturday 15 February to Sunday 23 February 2025
- Saturday 15 February: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 16 February: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Monday 17 to Friday 21 February: Dartford west tunnel, 9pm to 6am
- Saturday 22 February: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 23 February: Dartford east tunnel, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
On the move
The Dartford Crossing cycle collection point on the Thurrock side is moving to nearby A1090 London Road from 3am on Monday 24 February (What 3 Words location ///types.zeal.moved).
The current Essex point cycle shelter, and path from M25 junction 31, will close. The Kent-side collection point, at the Dartford Crossing offices, is unchanged.
Please note: you cannot cycle over the bridge or through the tunnel. Get information about the pick-up vehicle service to take you and your bike through the Dartford Crossing.
-
24 January 2025
Upcoming closures: 24 January to 9 February 2025
Steelwork inspections and repairs will continue in the west tunnel during weeknights between 9pm and 6am.
As usual, the east tunnel will remain open overnight to maintain travel in the northbound direction while we are working in the west tunnel.
Our weekly tunnel safety inspections continue on weekends between 10pm and 5am.
Overnight QEII Bridge closures in January
The last of our three overnight bridge closures will take place on Saturday 25 January 2025.
There will be a full closure from 10pm Saturday night to 5am Sunday morning, when there are fewer vehicles using the crossing.
A contraflow diversion route will be in place through the east tunnel from approximately 9:30pm to maintain southbound travel.
The west tunnel will remain open overnight for northbound travel. Please note a height restriction will apply in the northbound direction to vehicles between 4.8m (15’-9”) and 5.0m (16’-6”) high.
Upcoming closures
Friday 24 January to Sunday 9 February 2025
- Friday 24 January: Dartford west tunnel, (9pm to 6am)
- Saturday 25 January: QEII Bridge closure, (10pm to 5am)
- Sunday 26 January: Dartford east tunnel closure, (10pm to 5am) (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Monday 27 to Thursday 30 January: Dartford west tunnel, (9pm to 5:30am)
- Friday 31 January: Dartford west tunnel, (9pm to 6am)
- Saturday 1 February: Dartford west tunnel closure, (10pm to 5am)
- Sunday 2 February: Dartford east tunnel closure, (10pm to 5am) (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Saturday 8 February: Dartford west tunnel closure, (10pm to 5am)
- Sunday 9 February: Dartford east tunnel closure, (10pm to 5am) (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
-
10 January 2025
Update on timings for upcoming closures
Here is a further update for January.
Please note: changes have been made to some closure timings since the previous update on 3 January.
Following the festive break, we’ll resume our steelwork inspections and repairs in the west tunnel during weeknights from next week between 9pm and 6am. As usual, the east tunnel will remain open overnight to maintain travel in the northbound direction while we are working in the west tunnel.
Our weekly tunnel safety inspections continue to take place on weekends between 10pm and 5am.
Overnight QEII Bridge closures in January – Saturday 11, Saturday 18, and Saturday 25 January 2025.
Three overnight closures of the QEII Bridge are planned this month for essential maintenance work on bridge bearings and expansion joints.
These closures will all take place between 10pm on Saturday nights and 5am on Sunday mornings when there are fewer vehicles using the crossing.
A contraflow diversion route will be installed through the east tunnel from approximately 9:30pm on these three Saturday nights to maintain travel in the southbound direction.
The west tunnel will remain open overnight for travel in the northbound direction. Please note a height restriction will apply in the northbound direction to vehicles between 4.8m (15’-9”) and 5.0m (16’-6”) high.
Upcoming closures
- Friday 10 January to Sunday 26 January 2025
- Friday 10 January: Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am
- Saturday 11 January: QEII Bridge closure, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 12 January: Dartford east tunnel closure, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)Monday 13 January: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5:30am
- Tuesday 14 to Thursday 16 January: Dartford west tunnel, 9pm to 5:30am
- Friday 17 January: Dartford west tunnel, 9pm to 6am
- Saturday 18 January: QEII Bridge closure, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 19 January: Dartford east tunnel closure, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Monday 20 to Thursday 23 January: Dartford west tunnel, 9pm to 5:30am
- Friday 24 January: Dartford west tunnel, 9pm to 6am
- Saturday 25 January: QEII Bridge closure, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 26 January: Dartford east tunnel closure, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
-
03 January 2025
Upcoming closure information updated
Following a break over the Christmas and New Year period, we’ll resume our steelwork inspections and repairs in the west tunnel during weeknights from next week between 10pm and 6am. As usual, the east tunnel will remain open overnight to maintain travel in the northbound direction while we are working in the west tunnel.
Our weekly tunnel safety inspections continue to take place on weekends between 10pm and 5am.
Overnight QEII Bridge closures in January: Saturday 11, Saturday 18, and Saturday 25 January 2025
Three overnight closures of the QEII Bridge are planned this month for essential maintenance work on bridge bearings and expansion joints.
These closures will all take place between 10pm on Saturday nights and 5am on Sunday mornings when there are fewer vehicles using the crossing.
A contraflow diversion route will be installed through the east tunnel from approximately 9.30pm on these three Saturday nights to maintain travel in the southbound direction.
The west tunnel will remain open overnight for travel in the northbound direction. Please note a height restriction will apply in the northbound direction to vehicles between 4.8m (15’-9”) and 5.0m (16’-6”) high.
Upcoming closures
Saturday 4 January to Sunday 26 January 2025- Saturday 4 January: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 5 January: Dartford east tunnel closure, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Monday 6 to Thursday 9 January: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5:30am
- Friday 10 January: Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am
- Saturday 11 January: QEII Bridge closure, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 12 January: Dartford east tunnel closure, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Monday 13 to Thursday 16 January: Dartford west tunnel, 9pm to 5:30am
- Friday 17 January: Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am
- Saturday 18 January: QEII Bridge closure, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 19 January: Dartford east tunnel closure, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Monday 20 to Thursday 23 January: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5:30am
- Friday 24 January: Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am
- Saturday 25 January: QEII Bridge closure, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 26 January: Dartford east tunnel closure, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
-
18 October 2024
QEII Bridge closure
We’ll be closing the QEII bridge between 10pm Saturday 19 October and 5am Sunday 20 October for routine safety inspections.
A contraflow diversion route will be installed through the east tunnel from approximately 9:30pm on Saturday night to maintain travel in the southbound direction.
The west tunnel will remain open overnight to maintain travel in the northbound direction.Please note a height restriction will apply in the northbound direction to vehicles between 4.8m (15’-9”) and 5.0m (16’-6”) high. Important information for drivers of goods vehicles and high-sided vehicles is available here.
Our work to Sunday 27 October
Steelwork inspections will continue in the west tunnel over the next two weeks. The west tunnel will be closed overnight between 10pm and 6am between Mondays and Fridays to undertake this work safely.
Upcoming closures
Friday 18 October to Sunday 27 October
- Friday 18 October: Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am
- Saturday 19 October: QEII Bridge closure, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 20 October: Dartford east tunnel closure, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Monday 21 to Thursday 24 October: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5:30am
- Friday 25 October: Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am
- Saturday 26 October: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 27 October: Dartford east tunnel closure, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
-
11 October 2024
Upcoming Closures - Bridge maintenance between A282 J1a and M25 J2 (southbound)
We’ll shortly be carrying out the second stage of essential concrete and steelwork repairs to a bridge on the A282/M25 southbound (clockwise) carriageway between junction 1a and junction 2.
We’ll close the southbound carriageway from A282 junction 1a to M25 junction 2:
- From 9.30pm on Saturday 12 October to 7.30am on Sunday 13 October
Closures:
Friday 11 October to Sunday 27 October
- Friday 11 October: Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am
- Saturday 12 October: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
A282 J1a to M25 J2 (southbound), 9:30pm to 7:30am - Sunday 13 October: Dartford east tunnel closure, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Monday 14 to Thursday 17 October: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5:30am
- Friday 18 October: Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am
- Saturday 19 October: QEII Bridge closure, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 20 October: Dartford east tunnel closure, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Monday 21 to Thursday 24 October: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5:30am
- Friday 25 October: Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am
- Saturday 26 October: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday 27 October: Dartford east tunnel closure, 10pm to 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Diversion:
A clearly signed diversion will be in place via A282 junction 1a, the A206 Crossways Boulevard eastbound, the B255 southbound and the A2 westbound, re-joining the M25 at junction 2.
We’ll need to carry out further work on this bridge soon to ensure it remains safe and reliable for the years to come. Please check back for updates.
Please note: the Dartford west tunnel will also be closed overnight Saturday 12 October between 10pm and 5am. This means direct access to the Dartford tunnels from A282 junction 1a will be unavailable between these times. Local traffic joining from A282 junction 1a will need to follow the above diversion route between 10pm and 5am to access the Dartford Crossing.
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
-
13 September 2024
Upcoming overnight closures - 16 September to 29 September 2024
We'll be continuing our steelwork inspections and bearing replacement works in the west tunnel over the next two weeks.
This work will take place overnight between 10pm and 6am between Mondays and Fridays.
We’ll use another 14-hour closure, between Saturday 21 September to Sunday 22 September 8pm -10am, to continue essential steelwork repairs at the exit of the west tunnel.
We’ll close the east tunnel on Sunday nights, as usual, to carry out routine tunnel safety checks.
Please be reminded that vehicles less than 4.8m (15‘-9”) high will be diverted via the west tunnel. Vehicles between 4.8m (15‘-9”) and 5.0m (16’-6”) high will be diverted via M25 clockwise.
Closures
- Monday 16 September to Thursday 19 September: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5:30am.
- Friday 20 September: Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am.
- Saturday 21 September: Dartford west tunnel, 8pm to 10am.
- Sunday 22 September: Dartford east tunnel closure, 10pm to 5am. (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Monday 23 September to Thursday 26 September: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5:30am.
- Friday 27 September: Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am.
- Saturday 28 September: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am.
- Sunday 29 September: Dartford east tunnel closure, 10pm to 5am. (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.
-
02 August 2024
QEII Bridge painting work
We’ll be repainting the steelwork of the QEII Bridge over the next five years. This will protect it from corrosion and extend its lifespan.
We’ll also be maintaining the bridge’s pylons, cable stays and associated parts and renewing over 200 bearings.
We’ll install a temporary walkway with a steel safety barrier. This will give our teams safe 24-hour access to the areas where they're working.
We'll need to reduce width of the outer lanes. Inner lanes and the 50mph speed limit across the bridge will remain unchanged.
Using a temporary walkway means we'll need fewer overnight lane closures across the bridge. It will protect our workers, allowing them to work safely and efficiently day and night without affecting traffic
We'll monitor the adjustments to lane widths for three months. If they're working well, we'll keep them in place while we complete our maintenance over the next several years.
We’ll still need full overnight closures of the bridge approximately once every six weeks for routine bridge safety inspections and maintenance.
Please remember that closure details can change at short notice. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our daily closures page.
-
23 July 2024
Bridge re-waterproofing work
We’re re-waterproofing and resurfacing the bridge which carries the M25 anticlockwise carriageway between junction 31 (Lakeside) and junction 30 (A13) throughout July and August 2024.We've made good progress re-waterproofing the hard shoulder across the bridge.
To continue our work, we'll need overnight weekend closures (8pm to 10am) in early August.
Please remember that closure details can change at short notice. For the most up-to-date information, please check our daily closures page.
Project information
Overview
The Dartford Crossing is currently the only way to cross the Thames east of London by road and links the counties of Essex and Kent via the QEII bridge for southbound traffic and two 1.4km-long tunnels for northbound journeys.
The A282 also connects directly at both ends with the M25 London Orbital Motorway, one of the busiest motorways in Europe.
Benefits
To keep this part of the network safe and secure, our work will include:
- Upgrading CCTV and lighting
- Waterproofing
- Maintaining ventilation, electrical and drainage systems
- Replacing tunnel bearings and repairing the concrete tunnel walkways
- Replacing expansion joints on the viaduct
- Replacing the panels which form the tunnel linings
- Carrying out maintenance to the QEII bridge pylons, cable stays and dampers
Additional work will also include:
- Replacing areas of corroded steelwork
- Tile repairs
- Paintwork
We’ll do most of our work overnight to keep disruption to a minimum and planned our work so that multiple schemes can run at the same time.
Diversion routes
Dartford Crossing diversions
- East tunnel – vehicles less than 4.8m (15‘-9”) high will be diverted via the west tunnel. Vehicles between 4.8m (15‘-9”) and 5.0m (16’-6”) high will be diverted via M25 clockwise.
- West tunnel – drivers will be diverted via the east tunnel.
- QEII bridge diversion – southbound traffic will be diverted via the east tunnel. Vehicles less than 4.8m (15‘-9”) high travelling northbound will be able to use the west tunnel as usual and for vehicles between 4.8m (15‘-9”) and 5.0m (16’-6”) high, an alternative diversion will be in place via the M25 clockwise.
Documents
Traffic information
Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.Sign up for updates!
Keep up to date with what's happening on this scheme by signing up to our updates.
