Dartford Crossing expected to reopen after delays

The crossing is used by up to 180,000 vehicles on the busiest days

A river tunnel that has been closed for most of the day due to a "large spillage" is expected to be reopened at about 18:00 BST.

Motorists have faced delays of more than an hour at the Dartford Crossing heading north after a "large spillage from a maintenance vehicle".

National Highways posted on X at about 06:30 BST to say the Dartford east tunnel would need to be shut throughout the day.

It said about 400m of the road needed to be resurfaced.

A large volume of hydraulic liquid leaked inside the tunnel during overnight maintenance work.

The northbound carriageway goes through two tunnels, each 0.8 mile (1.4km) in length, and one remained open.

National Highways said the Dartford east tunnel would be shut after a "large spillage"

Up to 180,000 vehicles use the crossing in both directions each day, National Highways added.

Diversions were also been put in place on the M25 and M26 in Kent after a lorry fire.

National Highways said a fire crew were on scene for 10 hours and caused damage to the road surface and central reservation barrier.

The M25 was closed clockwise between junction five near Sevenoaks and junction six near Godstone/Caterham and diversions put in place.

Traffic on the M26 westbound between junction 2A near Wrotham Heath and the M25/A21 has also been diverted.

Robert Bell, network operations manager for National Highways in the South East, said getting the roads open was an "absolute priority".

"The challenging nature and extensive damage these incidents have caused means the closures are going to run into tonight’s commute," he said.

"The M25 and the Dartford Crossing are major parts of the strategic road network, and we understand the inconvenience and disruption any closure has.

"We appreciate people's patience and understanding while these significant repairs are undertaken."

Motorists have been advised by National Highways to allow extra time for their journeys.