Update: 2000 hrs
The bridge has now re-opened.
M25 Essex – Slow traffic on M25 clockwise from J31 A1306 Arterial Road West Thurrock to A282, Dartford River Crossing toll booths, because of strong winds.
Incident: 1455 hrs
M25 Essex – M25 (QE2 bridge) closed and slow traffic clockwise from J31 A1306 Arterial Road West Thurrock to A282, Dartford River Crossing toll booths, because of strong winds.
Diversion in operation – all traffic running through the tunnels.
Congestion to J30, A13 (Lakeside).
All traffic is being diverted via the East tunnel. This is affecting traffic flows in both directions.
High sided vehicles (above 15 ft 9 inches) cannot use the West tunnel to head northbound on the A282.
M25 Kent – Two lanes closed and queueing traffic on M25 Dartford Tunnel anticlockwise from A282, Dartford River Crossing toll booths, because of strong winds. Congestion to J2, A2 (Darenth Interchange).
Does this weather really warrent the bridge closure.They seem to shut the bridge at the meerest hint it is getting windy.
Surely if traffic can only use one tunnel, they have lifted the barriers and suspended the tolls? Sorry to get repetitive about this, and apologies to Highways if the tolls HAVE been suspended: does anyone know?
They shut the bridge to avoid vehicles being pushed out of their lanes and causing a collision.
The traffic queues have to be at least 12 miles long before the barriers are lifted. To much income involved!
Perhaps, frequent closures enhances the [future] justification for a new tunnel at route ‘C’
Reckon you could be right Fred
Thanks for reply re lifting the barriers: I can’t believe that 11 miles of traffic is acceptable! Such greed.