Dartford Crossing roadworks: Tunnels to close with contraflow system introduced on QEII Bridge

Both northbound tunnels at the Dartford Crossing will be closed for one night over the weekend as maintenance work is carried out. It means traffic will be sent via a contraflow system over the QEII Bridge.

The two tunnels will close from 8.30pm on Saturday (July 23) before reopening at 6am on Sunday morning (July 24). During the closure, National Highway will be carrying out tunnel maintenance works.

Traffic that would usually travel through the tunnels will be directed across the River Thames via a contraflow arrangement, which will be installed on the QEII Bridge. The system will allow for one lane of the QEII Bridge to run in each direction.

READ MORE: Just Stop Oil vows to block M25 after declaring it ‘a site of civil resistance’ following heatwave

Drivers joining the A282 northbound from either Junction 1a or Junction 1b should follow the diversion signs in place. They will instruct drivers to follow the A282 southbound carriageway to M25 Junction 2 before the re-joining.

Anyone planning on transporting an abnormal load via the Crossing while the contraflow arrangement is in place should contact the Abnormal Loads team at [email protected] for further assistance. Additional information for goods vehicles can be found by clicking here.

It comes after there were long delays near the Dartford Crossing on Wednesday (July 20) after a demonstration. Just Stop Oil has urged drivers to stay away from the motorway until Friday (July 22) after declaring it “a site of civil resistance”.

In a statement published on their website, the group said: “As citizens, as humans, as sons and daughters and mothers and fathers we have every right under British law to protect ourselves and those we love. We will not stand by, we will do what is necessary. We will resist.

“We are therefore declaring the M25 a site of civil resistance against our criminal government. We ask that no one travels on this motorway from Wednesday to Friday this week as we will be blocking the highway.

“We fully acknowledge the cost and disruption this will cause to the public and ask that they take their demands for compensation to the government which has caused this unprecedented threat to our lives and liberties. We have a clear demand: that the UK government makes a statement that it will immediately halt all future licensing and consents for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK.

“This is the necessary first step to ensuring a liveable future. The UK government’s failure to take that step is a criminal dereliction of its fundamental duty: to protect and safeguard the lives of its citizens.”

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Article Source: Kent Live