Dartford Crossing: Is it closed due to welfare of a man on the bridge, what’s the latest?

Multiple emergency services were called after Essex Police responded to concerns for the welfare of a man on the bridge. National Highways Traffic Officers and contractors are helping with traffic management.

Essex Police have issued an update on Facebook and said: “A road closure is currently in place at the Dartford River Crossing as multiple emergency services respond to concerns for the welfare of a man on the bridge.

“The incident was first reported shortly after 10.50am this morning (Wednesday 10 June) and our response is ongoing. A diversion is in place utilising the tunnel, but delays are expected.

“Motorists, wherever possible, are urged to avoid the area.An update will follow as soon as possible.”

One person wrote: “Let's hope he gets all the help he needs.On the other hand though open the other lanes unfortunately its a awful situation but businesses need to still trade,” and another said: “This is now a weekly occurrence if not more. It's about time something was done to remove the option of people wanting to take their own lives on the bridge. A few signs are not going to help. There needs to be barriers and netting installed.”

One other person said: “For goodness sake, the government need to start giving money to improve mental health I'm this country. So many people everyday so desperate and there's no one to help them. This government should be absolutely ashamed of themselves.”

According to National Highways, “The M25/A282 is closed clockwise/southbound between J30 (A13) and J1a (Dartford) due to an Essex Police led incident on the QEII Bridge at Dartford Crossing.

“Due to the nature of the incident, there are currently no timescales for how long the closure may be in place for.

“As a result of this incident, the eastbore tunnel (for northbound traffic at the crossing) is also closed.

“Northbound crossing traffic is confined to using the west bore Dartford tunnel only with a height restriction of 4 '8m (15' 9").

“Vehicles over this height will have to seek an alternative route via the clockwise M25.”

What will happen to diverted traffic?

Motorists need to take the third exit onto the A13 towards Dagenham and Central London from the M25 J30.At the A12/A102 interchange, take the exit onto the A102 southbound and continue through Blackwall Tunnel

Motorists should follow the A102 and A2 through Kidbrooke and Danson interchanges towards the M25. They should then take the exit at the M25 J2 Darenth interchange to re-join the motorway.

Motorists need to allow extra journey time due to the closure and plan ahead, they may wish to re-route or even delay your journey. At present, there are delays of over three hours on the M25 clockwise approaching the crossing, expect delays of an hour anti-clockwise.