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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Dartford Crossing closure causes M25 traffic chaos | Dartford Crossing closure causes M25 traffic chaos |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Motorists are facing huge delays after the M25 Dartford Crossing between Kent and Essex was closed in both directions because of a security alert. | Motorists are facing huge delays after the M25 Dartford Crossing between Kent and Essex was closed in both directions because of a security alert. |
| The Highways Agency closed the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at 17:00 BST, with both tunnels shut 20 minutes later. | The Highways Agency closed the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at 17:00 BST, with both tunnels shut 20 minutes later. |
| Police said they were called at 16:00 BST to a report that a male pedestrian was behaving unusually. | Police said they were called at 16:00 BST to a report that a male pedestrian was behaving unusually. |
| He was arrested and officers said they had found a suspicious item, leading to the closure of the crossing. | He was arrested and officers said they had found a suspicious item, leading to the closure of the crossing. |
| Motorists stuck in the queues of traffic have reported seeing an army bomb disposal vehicle, ambulances and emergency service vehicles heading towards the crossing. | |
| 'Trapped vehicles' | |
| The force said it expected the crossing to be closed for some time and advised motorists to find alternative routes. | The force said it expected the crossing to be closed for some time and advised motorists to find alternative routes. |
| Trapped traffic on the bridge is being released and diverted back into Essex, while some trapped vehicles have been released from the tunnels. | |
| The toll booths have also been cleared of traffic. | |
| There are reportedly nine-mile tailbacks in both Kent, on the anti-clockwise M25, and in Essex, on the clockwise stretch. | |
| In London, there are severe delays in East Ham, Beckton, Bow, Woolwich, at the Blackwall Tunnel and all approaches to the M25. | In London, there are severe delays in East Ham, Beckton, Bow, Woolwich, at the Blackwall Tunnel and all approaches to the M25. |
| The A11, A12 and A13 also have extra heavy traffic. | The A11, A12 and A13 also have extra heavy traffic. |
| The A282 Dartford to Thurrock crossing over the River Thames, which consists of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and two tunnels, is used by 140,000 vehicles a day. | The A282 Dartford to Thurrock crossing over the River Thames, which consists of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and two tunnels, is used by 140,000 vehicles a day. |
| Traffic heading south into Kent uses the bridge, while northbound vehicles travelling to Essex use the tunnels, with the M25 linking up either side. | Traffic heading south into Kent uses the bridge, while northbound vehicles travelling to Essex use the tunnels, with the M25 linking up either side. |
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