Motorists are advised to prepare for multiple closures at the Dartford Crossing this week, including a full closure of the QEII Bridge on Saturday night. These disruptions are part of ongoing maintenance and improvement works aimed at enhancing road safety and traffic flow.
The Dartford Crossing, a vital artery connecting Dartford in Kent to Thurrock in Essex via the A282, will see a series of closures:
- Monday, July 29 – Tuesday, July 30: The west tunnel will be closed from 10 PM to 5:30 AM. Traffic will be diverted via the National Highways network.
- Thursday, August 1 – Friday, August 2: The west tunnel will again close during the same hours for carriageway and slip road maintenance.
- Friday, August 2 – Saturday, August 3: Continued closures of the west tunnel from 10 PM to 5:30 AM for additional tunnel works.
- Saturday, August 3 – Sunday, August 4: The QEII Bridge will shut down from 10 PM to 5 AM. Meanwhile, the east tunnel will close earlier from 9:30 PM to 5 AM for contraflow works. Traffic will be rerouted through the east tunnel in a contraflow configuration.
- Sunday, August 4 – Monday, August 5: The east tunnel will see closures from 10 PM to 5 AM for further maintenance, with diversions set via the National Highways network.
These planned closures are necessary for the safety and efficiency of the ongoing works. The Dartford Crossing, known until 1991 as the Dartford Tunnel, is a critical infrastructure piece for commuters and freight traffic crossing the River Thames.
Motorists are encouraged to plan their travel accordingly and stay informed about potential changes, especially in the case of adverse weather conditions which may further affect the schedule. Updates and travel advisories will be available through local traffic news and the Highways England website.
