Commuters using the Dartford Crossing faced severe delays of up to 90 minutes today as a result of a vehicle fire in the East Bore Tunnel of the A282 northbound section. The incident caused significant disruptions to traffic flow on the M25 anti-clockwise and A282.

The incident, which involved a van fire, resulted in the closure of the East Bore Tunnel, exacerbating traffic congestion in the area. While the West Bore Tunnel was briefly closed as well, it has since been fully reopened.

Firefighters have successfully extinguished the blaze, but safety checks are required before the East Bore Tunnel can be reopened to the public. National Highways Traffic Officers and service providers are on-site, working diligently to ensure the safety of all road users.

Currently, there is an approximately 7-mile-long queue of vehicles approaching the tunnels, adding to the frustration of commuters. To minimize inconvenience, road users are advised to allocate extra time for their journeys and consider alternative routes if possible.

For the latest updates and real-time information regarding the incident, commuters are encouraged to visit the Traffic England website and utilize the available travel apps. Information can also be obtained from the @HighwaysSEast X feed on social media. Additionally, the 24/7 contact centre team is available to provide up-to-the-minute information at 0300 123 5000.