Bridge used by 160,000 vehicles daily set for series of closures including THIS WEEKEND – with diversion in place

MOTORISTS planning to use the Dartford Crossing this weekend face a series of overnight closures, as critical maintenance works get underway.

The first closure will see the east tunnel shut from 10pm on Sunday, reopening at 5am on Monday, 16.

Traffic will be diverted to the west tunnel, but vehicles over 4.8m tall won’t fit and will need to take a lengthy detour via the M25 clockwise.

National Highways have confirmed the closures are necessary to carry out essential upgrades.

This includes installing new CCTV and lighting, waterproofing and replacing tunnel bearings, and repairing the concrete walkways.

It marks the start of a series of closures affecting the busy route, which links Essex and Kent via the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and two 1.4km-long tunnels.

Overnight from September 9 until September 13, the west tunnel will be closed.

These closures will run from 10pm to 5.30am, except on September 13, when the west tunnel will be closed from 11pm to 6am.

During these periods, traffic will be diverted through the east tunnel.

On September 14, the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge will be closed from 10pm to 5am, with southbound traffic diverted via the east tunnel.

Once again, vehicles over 4.8m will be forced to take the M25 clockwise.

National Highways said it is carrying out vital maintenance work on the bridge pylons, cable stays, and dampers, with safety being a top priority.

The Dartford Crossing is one of the UK’s busiest road routes, used by a staggering 50 million vehicles annually.

It’s currently the only way to cross the River Thames by road east of London, making it a crucial link for both Essex and Kent.

It’s also the third most expensive toll in the country, charging £2.50 per crossing.

The crossing’s payment system, known as the “Dart Charge,” operates with a “free flow” system to keep traffic moving.

ANPR cameras automatically bill drivers, but not without controversy.

ANPR Controversy and Fines

The automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) cameras have sparked outrage among some drivers, who claim they have been wrongly fined for crossings they never made.

Anne Marie Kenyon, from Bury, Greater Manchester, says she received two penalty charges earlier this year, despite living hundreds of miles away and never using the route.

She suspects the cameras misread her registration plates, confusing “DV” with “DY” and “OV” in blurred evidence photos.

Similarly, Mike Adams from Rochester, Kent, faced a fine after trying to pay for a crossing in a rental car, only to be told the system couldn’t recognise the vehicle’s registration.

By the time he contacted Dart Charge, he was too late to pay and was fined.

National Highways responded to these complaints, stating that manual checks are sometimes required to verify details.

While they admit errors do occur, they claim these are rare and will be corrected when customers report them.

The agency added: “The easiest option for customers is to pay every time and on time.

“We’ve made this easy by offering different ways to pay, which suit everyone’s needs.”

PLAN AHEAD

Drivers are urged to plan ahead and be aware of the diversion routes to avoid delays.

Given the heavy use of the Dartford Crossing, even minor closures can cause significant disruption.

National Highways advises checking for updates and considering alternative routes if possible to avoid getting caught out.