Crucial motorway tunnel used by 150,000 Brits per day is hit by a WEEK of closures
STEER CLEAR Crucial motorway tunnel used by 150,000 Brits per day is hit by a WEEK of closures – check your route
A CRUCIAL motorway tunnel that is used by more than 150,000 Brits each day is set be disrupted by closures this week.
Tunnel closures come in the lead up to a complete closure of the QEII Bridge this weekend.
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The Dartford Crossing is the only way to cross the Thames east of London
Credit: Alamy
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It also links Essex and Kent via the QEII bridge
Credit: Getty
Drivers are being alerted to overnight closures at the Dartford Crossing due to essential maintenance work scheduled from Monday, August 11 to Monday, August 18.
More than 150,000 vehicles per day are reported to rely on the Dartford Crossing.
It has been considered a vital cross that enables vehicles to commute or carry freight between the south-east and the rest of the country.
It is the only way to cross the Thames river by road east of London, and links the counties of Essex and Kent.
This is via the QEII bridge for southbound traffic, and two 1.4km-long tunnels for travellers going northbound.
The closures will only occur overnight across the week, where driver's may be hit by disruptions.
Diversions via the National Highways' network and local routes will be clearly signposted during this time.
The QEII bridge will be fully closed from Saturday, August 16 to Sunday, August 17, between 10pm to 5am.
The diversion route will be through the an installed contraflow through the Dartford east tunnel from 9:30pm on Saturday night.
The Dartford west tunnel will remain open overnight for travel in the northbound direction.
M6 and M4 closed over serious crashes with drivers facing long delays
However, height restrictions will apply to vehicles going in this direction between 4.8 to 5 metres high.
Tunnel closures set for this week
Monday, August 11/12 (10pm - 5.30am)
A282 Northbound Dartford Crossing West Tunnel closure Tunnel closure for maintenance works
Diversion via National Highways network
Tuesday, August 12/13 (10pm - 5.30am)
A282 Northbound Dartford Crossing West Tunnel closure Tunnel closure for maintenance works
Diversion via National Highways network
Wednesday, August 13/14 (10pm - 5.30am)
A282 Northbound Dartford Crossing West Tunnel closure Tunnel closure for maintenance works
Diversion via National Highways network
Thursday, August 14/15 (10pm - 5.30am)
A282 Northbound Dartford Crossing West Tunnel closure Tunnel closure for maintenance works
Diversion via National Highways network
Friday, August 15/16 (11pm - 6am)
A282 Northbound Dartford Crossing West Tunnel closure Tunnel closure for maintenance works
Diversion via National Highways network
Saturday, August 16/17 (10pm - 5am)
A282 QEII Bridge closure clockwise Southbound QEII Bridge closure for bridge works
Diversion via east tunnel contraflow
Sunday, August 17/18 (10pm - 5am)
A282 Northbound Dartfood Crossing East Tunnel closure Tunnel closure for maintenance works
Diversion via National Highways network
Closure of the Dartford Crossing this week comes just months after it was also shut down for maintenance work in May.
It involved the M20 motorway which was closed between Maidstone and Ashford overnight ahead of the spring bank holiday weekend for Operation Brock.
The Dartford Crossing is also set to become more expensive next month.
The cost of using it is expected to jump from £2.50 to £3.50 in September.
This will mark the first price increase for the crossing since 2014.
Transport Secretary, Lilian Greenwood, explained the toll increase was necessary in order to manage the almost 200,000 vehicles that use it everyday.
Analysts have suggested that these increased charges could be used to fund the upcoming Lower Thames Crossing mega project.
The project is set to ease congestion, and provide an alternative route for vehicles between Essex and Kent.
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