Heavy traffic near Dartford Bridge after collision

A major crossing over the River Thames has been shut after a collision between a lorry and a car.

It happened on the QEII bridge at the Dartford Crossing, which links Essex and Kent east of London, at 11:05 BST.

The southbound route remained closed on Thursday evening while emergency resurfacing and barrier repairs take place.

Southbound traffic was being diverted through the nearby tunnel, which usually served those heading clockwise on the M25.

Police warned the route would be shut "for several hours" after both the road surface and barriers were damaged. One person suffered minor injuries.

The collision caused a large fuel spillage across lanes.

"I've never sat in a jam like this my entire life" one driver told the BBC.

He has been stuck near Lakeside shopping centre since early afternoon and said there is no sign of the situation improving.

He hoped to get back to Colchester but is fearful he will be stuck into the night.

Anne called into BBC Essex after getting stuck on the M25 said she had not moved since midday.

She was transporting some bulls across the bridge in a trailer when the incident took place and said a lot of people were getting out of their cars and standing on the carriageway.

"Northbound tunnel traffic is therefore confined to using the west bore Dartford tunnel only," National Highways said.

Vehicle height restrictions of 4.8m (15ft 9in) applied in the tunnel.

A highways spokesman added: "Vehicles over this height will have to seek an alternative route via the clockwise M25."

Also in attendance at the incident were fire, ambulance and police services, who urged drivers to exercise "patience" during delays.

Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, BBC Northamptonshire or BBC Suffolk.