London 2012: 'More gridlock' in Dartford during Olympic Games

Restrictions to general traffic at the Blackwall Tunnel is expected to increase congestion around Dartford.

There will be more gridlocked traffic in a Kent town centre during the London Olympics, according to the council.

Dartford Borough Council's deputy leader Tony Martin said "Games Lanes" at the Blackwall Tunnel would increase traffic through Dartford.

At times lanes through the Blackwall Tunnel will only be open to Olympic athletes, officials and VIPs.

The Highways Agency said it did not anticipate significant increases in traffic at the Dartford Crossing.

One lane in each direction through the Blackwall Tunnel will be closed to general traffic at certain times during the London Olympics and Paralympics.

Mr Martin said: "The problem is with more traffic coming here, because obviously people will be deterred from using the Blackwall Tunnel because of the Olympic lanes.

"There's going to be even more gridlock in Dartford town centre than there can be when there are issues."

The Highways Agency said while the Dartford Crossing could be a pinch-point during the Olympic Games, it did not anticipate significant increases in traffic volume.