Dartford Tunnel: M25 chaos as tunnel to be shut ALL DAY after lorry crash

Motorists are queuing for around 10 miles following the closure of the Dartford Tunnel due to lorry damage caused because the vehicle was too big to travel inside. The west tunnel[1] will be shut for the rest of the day, National Highways[2] confirmed, following the incident earlier this afternoon. The lorry was "over the permissible height" and collided with the roof of the tunnel, with emergency repairs being carried out.

There are now severe delays on the A2 both ways and on M25 anti-clockwise.

17:57Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Tailbacks for almost ten miles

Traffic continues to back up after the earlier closure. Reports state around ten miles of queues are in place with motorists told to expect 90 minute delays.

Tailbacks stretch for miles17:33Sam Elliott-Gibbs

National Highways' latest update

National Highways has issued a further update stating there a severe delays on the A2, both ways. It reads: "The #A282#DartfordCrossing left (west) tunnel remains CLOSED northbound between J1a (#Dartford) & J31 (#Thurrock) #Kent/#Essex@DartCharge

"This follows damage to tunnel equipment after being struck by an overheight lorry. "SEVERE delays on #A2 both ways and on #M25 anti-clock."

16:51Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Planned tunnel closure cancelled

Tonight's planned closure of the A282 eastbore tunnel has been cancelled due to the ongoing issues in the westbore tunnel. In an updated National Highways X post, it said: "The planned closure of the A282 Dartford Crossing eastbore tunnel has been CANCELLED tonight.

"This is due to the ongoing emergency closure of the westbore tunnel following a collision. "The westbore tunnel is expected to be closed into the night."

16:32KEY EVENT

Tunnel will not re-open today

The left (west) Dartford Tunnel will remain closed for the rest of the day. National Highways, posting on its south-east X account, confirmed the tunnel will not reopen today.

It added: "This follows damage to tunnel equipment after being struck by an overheight lorry. "The tunnel will be closed for the rest of the day."

The tunnel will remain closed tonight (Getty Images/John Keeble)16:01Sam Elliott-Gibbs

All we know so far...

There are 'severe delays' of more than 90 minutes on the M25 due to congestion anti-clockwise. This is as a result of emergency tunnel repairs at the Dartford Tunnel, heading into Essex.

The left-hand tunnel is closed, but the right-hand tunnel is open. Traffic is backed up for at least eight miles.

15:45Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Tunnel 'closed for rush hour'

The Dartford Tunnel will be closed throughout the Friday rush hour, it has been reported. Essex Travel News claim the tunnel won't reopen any time soon with 'extensive' repairs needed.

M25 Anticlockwise- SEVERE DELAYS.Left Hand Dartford Tunnel closed due to Emergency repairs following an incident overnight.

Tunnel to remain closed throughout the evening rush hour.SEVERE DELAYS back to J4 (A21) pic.twitter.com/hrXcqcJAwO[3]

-- Essex Travel News (@Essex_Travel) January 23, 2026[4]15:24Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Congestion 'for miles'

Queues now go back more than eight miles, with a 90 minute delay confirmed. The National Highways have issued the warning with Friday rush hour nearing.

The #A282[5] #DartfordCrossing[6] left (west) tunnel remains CLOSED northbound between J1a (#Dartford[7]) and J31 (#Thurrock[8]) #Kent[9]/#Essex[10] @DartCharge[11]. This follows damage sustained to tunnel equipment following a lorry strike.

There's now a 90 minute delay and 8 miles of congestion. pic.twitter.com/P3PzohWdV9[12]

-- National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) January 23, 2026[13]15:10Sam Elliott-Gibbs

'Substantial damage' caused to tunnel

One side of the tunnel is closed due to "substantial damage" caused by a lorry strike. Extensive repairs are needed, National Highways says. It comes after a ventilation pipe in the roof has been dislodged.

Emergency works crews will decide if it can be re-hung or removed.

15:02Zahra Khaliq

Map shows heavy traffic building at Dartford

Extensive repairs required at the scene of the crash (Google)15:00Zahra Khaliq

Crash sparks 90-minute delay and 8 miles of congestion

Drivers are now facing 90-minute long queues going back eight miles. Repair work is ongoing and it is not yet clear when the tunnel will re-open.

The #A282[14] #DartfordCrossing[15] left (west) tunnel remains CLOSED northbound between J1a (#Dartford[16]) and J31 (#Thurrock[17]) #Kent[18]/#Essex[19] @DartCharge[20]. This follows damage sustained to tunnel equipment following a lorry strike.

There's now a 90 minute delay and 8 miles of congestion. pic.twitter.com/P3PzohWdV9[21]

-- National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) January 23, 2026[22]14:49Zahra Khaliq

Ventilation pipe in Dartford Tunnel dislodged

The left-hand tunnel at the Dartford Crossing has been closed after a ventilation pipe in the roof became dislodged when it was crashed into. Traffic was briefly held on approach while two lanes were cordoned off, while all northbound A282/M25 traffic is currently being diverted into the north tunnel. There is no estimated time for when the closure is expected to be lifted.

14:43KEY EVENT

Lorry over permissible height crashed into tunnel

A lorry over the permissible height drove into the left tunnel at Dartford and struck several pieces of equipment as a result, causing extensive damage.

"The equipment is essential to the safe operation of the tunnel and therefore traffic cannot flow through it until repairs are carried out," National Highways said.

Huge queues have been building on the M25 in Kent and Essex (National Highways)14:38KEY EVENT

Dartford Tunnel to remain closed for 'several hours'

Dartford Tunnel will stay closed to several hours today while crews carry our repairs at the scene of a lorry crash. National Highways said in a statement: "The west (left) bore of the Dartford Tunnel is closed between J1a Littlebrook Interchange (Erith A206; Swanscombe (A226)) and J31 Purfleet Interchange (South Ockendon, Dagenham A1306)" The statement added: "National Highways has contractors on site to affect repairs but this is likely to take several hours.

"Please be aware that although the east (right) bore remains open for traffic, we are advising road users intending on using the Dartford Tunnels this afternoon/evening to expect very long delays and heavy congestion whilst the left bore remains closed. If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."

14:31KEY EVENT

Drivers warned to expect delays of at least an hour

Due to severe damage following a lorry strike and extensive repairs needed at the scene, drivers are being warned to expect the Dartford Tunnel to be closed for several hours.

There is currently a one hour delay on approach, National Highways says.

References

1. ^ west tunnel (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ National Highways (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ pic.twitter.com/hrXcqcJAwO (t.co)
4. ^ January 23, 2026 (twitter.com)
5. ^ #A282 (twitter.com)
6. ^ #DartfordCrossing (twitter.com)
7. ^ #Dartford (twitter.com)
8. ^ #Thurrock (twitter.com)
9. ^ #Kent (twitter.com)
10. ^ #Essex (twitter.com)
11. ^ @DartCharge (twitter.com)
12. ^ pic.twitter.com/P3PzohWdV9 (t.co)
13. ^ January 23, 2026 (twitter.com)
14. ^ #A282 (twitter.com)
15. ^ #DartfordCrossing (twitter.com)
16. ^ #Dartford (twitter.com)
17. ^ #Thurrock (twitter.com)
18. ^ #Kent (twitter.com)
19. ^ #Essex (twitter.com)
20. ^ @DartCharge (twitter.com)
21. ^ pic.twitter.com/P3PzohWdV9 (t.co)
22. ^ January 23, 2026 (twitter.com)