Overnight maintenance closures at the Dartford Crossing between late January and mid-February will affect night-time and early-morning movements across the A282/M25 corridor, with repeated west tunnel closures and several east tunnel closures subject to a 4.8m height restriction. While daytime traffic is expected to remain largely unaffected, construction firms, logistics operators and shift-based workforces moving between Kent, Essex and Greater London should plan for extended journey times, altered delivery windows and potential last-minute changes, as closure schedules may be adjusted at short notice by the highway authority.
Upcoming overnight closures (West and East tunnels)
The following closures are currently planned, subject to change at short notice:
West tunnel closures
East tunnel closures (height restrictions apply)
In addition, three further overnight closures are planned to allow maintenance of the fire suppression and lighting systems within the west tunnel.
What this means for contractors and fleet operators
For construction firms, delivery teams and site managers operating across Kent, Essex and Greater London, these closures may affect:
Where possible, alternative routes or adjusted shift times should be considered, particularly on Sundays when east tunnel height restrictions apply.
Plan ahead and check live updates
National Highways has advised that closure times can change at short notice depending on operational conditions. Drivers should check live traffic information before travelling and allow additional time where overnight movements are unavoidable.
This is a planning-led update intended to support delivery decisions, not a general traffic notice. Further changes will be monitored and updated where they materially affect construction and logistics activity across London and the South East.
The following closures are currently planned, subject to change at short notice:
West tunnel closures
- Friday 30 January: 11pm – 6am
- Saturday 31 January: 10pm – 5am
- Monday 2 to Thursday 5 February: 10pm – 5.30am
- Friday 6 February: 11pm – 6am
- Saturday 7 February: 10pm – 5am
- Monday 9 to Thursday 12 February: 10pm – 5.30am
- Friday 13 February: 11pm – 6am
- Saturday 14 February: 10pm – 5am
East tunnel closures (height restrictions apply)
- Sunday 1 February: 10pm – 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Sunday 8 February: 10pm – 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
- Sunday 15 February: 10pm – 5am (no access for vehicles over 4.8m)
In addition, three further overnight closures are planned to allow maintenance of the fire suppression and lighting systems within the west tunnel.
What this means for contractors and fleet operators
For construction firms, delivery teams and site managers operating across Kent, Essex and Greater London, these closures may affect:
- early-morning material deliveries
- night-shift logistics and plant movements
- workforce travel times on overnight or early starts
- abnormal load planning (particularly vehicles over 4.8m)
Where possible, alternative routes or adjusted shift times should be considered, particularly on Sundays when east tunnel height restrictions apply.
Plan ahead and check live updates
National Highways has advised that closure times can change at short notice depending on operational conditions. Drivers should check live traffic information before travelling and allow additional time where overnight movements are unavoidable.
This is a planning-led update intended to support delivery decisions, not a general traffic notice. Further changes will be monitored and updated where they materially affect construction and logistics activity across London and the South East.
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Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus
Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist |
