The Queen Elizabeth II bridge is currently closed as Essex Police respond to a welfare concern involving a man on the structure, which connects the M25 between Essex and Kent. The incident, reported shortly after 10:50 BST, has forced a full closure of the bridge, causing significant traffic disruption across the regional road network.
Traffic Impact and Diversions
National Highways reports that traffic is experiencing delays of over three hours on the clockwise carriageway of the M25. Congestion currently extends eight miles past junction 28 for the A12 at Brentwood, while the anti-clockwise approach to the Dartford Tunnels is seeing four miles of traffic. Authorities have implemented a diversion through the Dartford Tunnels to manage the flow of vehicles.
Did You Know? The Dartford Tunnels have a height restriction of 4.8m (15’9″), meaning vehicles exceeding this limit must seek alternative routes via the clockwise M25 while the bridge remains closed.
Future Operational Status
There are currently no confirmed timescales regarding when the bridge might reopen. National Highways has urged motorists to avoid the area wherever possible as emergency services continue to manage the situation. Updates are being provided periodically via the National Highways: East account on the social media platform X.
Expert Insight: The closure of the Queen Elizabeth II bridge creates a significant bottleneck because the alternative route—the Dartford Tunnels—cannot accommodate high-sided vehicles. This creates a cascading effect where freight traffic is forced into long-distance detours, compounding the congestion across the wider M25 orbital network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Queen Elizabeth II bridge closed?
Essex Police closed the bridge to address a welfare concern involving a man on the structure.
What should high-sided vehicles do?
Vehicles over 4.8m (15’9″) must seek an alternative route using the clockwise M25, as they cannot use the Dartford Tunnel diversion.
When will the bridge reopen?
National Highways has stated there are currently no timescales for how long the closure will remain in place.
How have these major traffic delays impacted your commute today?
