Motorists on the M25 faced severe disruptions Wednesday afternoon after authorities closed the southbound Queen Elizabeth II bridge at the Dartford Crossing due to an emergency incident.
National Highways reported that the closure created an eight-mile traffic backup, with drivers experiencing gridlock lasting over three hours on the clockwise carriageway.
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Congestion extended past junction 28 for the A12 at Brentwood. The anti-clockwise carriageway also saw four-mile tailbacks approaching the Dartford Tunnels.
Police Response and Diversion
Essex Police initiated the response shortly after 10:50 BST following reports of concerns for a man on the bridge, which connects Essex and Kent.
To keep traffic moving, officials implemented a diversion routing vehicles through the adjacent Dartford Tunnels. However, height restrictions complicated the rerouting process.
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Vehicles exceeding 4.8 meters or 15 feet 9 inches in height traveling northbound cannot use the restricted tunnel and must find an alternative route via the clockwise M25.
Emergency crews have started turning trapped vehicles around from the back of the queue within the closure area.
The bridge remains completely blocked to traffic.
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National Highways stated there are currently no timescales for how long the closure may be in place. Motorists are advised to avoid the route where possible.
