M25 Dartford Tunnel CLOSED: Emergency Repairs Cause 1.5 Hour Delays! Live Traffic Update (2026)

Emergency Repairs on M25's Dartford Tunnel: Hour-Long Delays and Traffic Chaos

The M25 is experiencing severe disruptions as emergency repairs have forced the closure of the Dartford Tunnel's left-hand (west) tunnel. This has led to significant traffic congestion and delays, with drivers facing a challenging commute. The incident occurred due to a ventilation pipe becoming dislodged, causing a temporary shutdown while crews assess the situation.

As of the latest updates, drivers are encountering long queues stretching over three miles, extending back to Junction 3 of the M25 anti-clockwise, towards the Swanley Interchange. Road users can expect delays of approximately one hour in the area. The closure is expected to persist for an undetermined period, with National Highways working to resolve the issue.

The J1a entry slip road has also been shut, further exacerbating the traffic situation. National Highways has confirmed that the taller right-hand tunnel remains open, but all northbound A282/M25 traffic is being diverted into it. The situation is dynamic, and further updates will be provided as they become available.

For the latest information and updates, stay tuned to our live coverage. If you have any information or photos, please reach out to kentlivenewsdesk@reachplc.com. Don't miss out on the latest local news by signing up for our KentLive newsletter. (https://www.kentlive.news/newsletter-preference-centre/?view=Solus&mailingListId=96cee646-b697-4646-b9ab-9aa4e9bcf869&utm_source=solusarticle)

M25 Dartford Tunnel CLOSED: Emergency Repairs Cause 1.5 Hour Delays! Live Traffic Update (2026)
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