Dartford Crossing QE2 bridge reopened after Storm Jocelyn disruption

A diversion route was in place after the closure

The QE2 bridge at the Dartford Crossing was shut after strong winds from Storm Jocelyn hit the UK.

National Highways closed the bridge, between junctions 31 and 1A of the M25, at 01:45 GMT on Wednesday.

The agency said the crossing was reopened shortly before 09:00, but queues stretching back four miles remained an hour later.

The closure was made after wind speeds regularly exceeded 60mph (95km/h), a spokesman said.

"The bridge was carefully monitored during this time and as wind speeds reduced this morning the bridge was fully reopened to traffic shortly before 09:00," he added.

A diversion had been put in place to take traffic through one of the tunnels during the initial disruption.

The bridge was opened in 1991 and carries about 180,000 vehicles each day.

National Highways said it was routine procedure for the structure to be fully closed when wind speeds hit 60mph and above.